There is nothing more frustrating for a public official or a political gadfly than to get into a discussion with a friend, coworker or constituent who is angry about local, state or national events and finding that person to be ignorant of the most basic facts of an issue. Even worse is to go and check the voting record and find that not only does this person have no interest in studying the facts but also has no interest in voting either.
Perhaps this is a year that might mark a change in overall trends in voter apathy. Certainly on the local level we have seen a marked difference as we have a vacant seat on the board of Selectman with one incumbent and 5 challengers vying for the two seats. In addition we have a contested school committee race to go along with the special election referendum that will attempt to override town meeting's decision in passing the town center overlay district. Of course, underlying all of the activity will be the over all mood of the electorate after getting a 24% residential tax increase. If I were to hazard a guess I would say that this might be the heaviest turn out that we have seen in recent memory.
This will extend to the state and national elections as well. With Governor Romney bowing out, there will be a very contentious race to replace him. The Democratic primary looked to be a lock for Attorney General Thomas Reilly, however a series of blunders may have wounded him mortally. Deval Patrick has been gaining ground with a pretty impressive showing in the Democratic Party caucuses. With Reilly looking like a very vulnerable favorite and after having snubbed Chris Gabrielli in the lieutenant governor sweepstakes it might bring Gabrielli into the race for the top spot. He should not be underestimated since it is rumored he spent 4 million of his own money the last time around.
The November general election should be a donny brook as well since Lt. Governor Healey is not likely to be the pushover that we Democrats think she is. She seems to have built a credible resume as number 2 with local officials statewide and there has been an inclination by Massachusetts voters to deny the democrats complete dominance in the legislative and executive branches.
The mid terms on the national scene are definitely going to increase interests for a variety of reasons. Iraq,immigration, the economy, energy prices and host of other pressing issues may bring more people into the political arena if not as candidates at least as knowledgable participants.
Another factor that may contribute to increased voter awareness is the aging of the population. The older we get the more insecure we become about everything from A to Z. Inevitably this leads to the need to find things out for oneself.
