Someone doesn't like how the election turns out and it is the same old voters voting for the same old candidates. I am so tired of hearing this retread of a complaint about election results. The person complaining gives no statistics or ideas of how to effectively change the perceived pattern of voting they are criticizing.
Our local newspaper did print out results of the election, even giving a breakdown of how voters voted locally. It should be noted that turnout in the state was down from previous years in comparison to other states. Around 66 percent of Republicans and 34 percent of Democrats in the county voted loyally to party by voting straight party ticket.
For all the arguments to vote out incumbents and the need to impose term limits on all office holders in government, incumbents locally won. But it did not happen to any one particular political party.
If you want change then say so. Write, call, demand it of our government in Harrisburg. The best way to turn out incumbents is through the primary process and yet voter turnout for primaries is always low. Another way is to allow independents to vote in the primaries and other states do it, why not ours?
Don't be blaming the people who voted, blame those who discourage voting and those who complain about voting and do nothing to change it. Voting is a civic duty for all Americans. Are you going to be an active participant or just sit and whine about the results? Now is the time to address change in the voting process, not 4 years down the road when you can complain how you don't like the results.
Charles M. Reeder
Montoursville
Submitted by Virtual Newsroom
