Editorial: Most N.C. voters let others pick their candidates
Wednesday, May 25, 2022 -- In the North Carolina primaries just a handful of voters decide who their party candidates will be. While there was some crowing about the record-setting total turnout for a non-presidential year primary - 1.42 million voters - the reality is that it is all very faintly deserved praise. Four of every 5 registered voters DID NOT cast a ballot.
Posted — UpdatedOnce upon a time political party bosses gathered behind closed doors, in what in a quainter time would be termed “smoke-filled rooms,” to anoint their candidates for public offices.
Then along came political party primaries. In some cases, the bosses still got to pick their candidates to be on the primary ballot – but also others had their chance to place themselves before the party faithful.
The notion was to give EVERYONE in a political party a voice in the selection of the candidates. It would increase the likelihood that party nominees would have broader support and that outlier candidates with uncertain credentials or experience would get weeded out.
In North Carolina, the Republicans and Democrats even extended participation to unaffiliated voters who might want to get involved.
But in reality, as displayed in the North Carolina primaries of a week ago, it seems just a handful of those decide. Primaries are just a virtual version of the “smoke-filled room.”
While there was some crowing about the record-setting total turnout for a non-presidential year primary – 1.42 million voters – the reality is that it is all very faintly deserved praise.
Here’s the cold-hard truth. If voting with your feet matters, North Carolinians overwhelmingly rejected all of the Republican and Democratic choices.
- 4 of every 5 registered voters DID NOT cast a ballot.
- 3 out of every 4 of North Carolina’s 2.5 million Democrats DID NOT cast a ballot.
- 2 out of every 3 of North Carolina’s 2.2 million Republicans DID NOT cast a ballot.
- 80% of Republicans and Democrats let other folks decide who would be their party’s candidate for the U.S. Senate, to replace incumbent Sen. Richard Burr.
If past is any predictor, about half of North Carolina’s voters will cast ballots in the Nov. 8 election.
No voters should, as nearly three quarters regretfully did last week, allow others to make choices for them.
From the courthouse to the statehouse, to the state’s judicial chambers and the halls of the U.S. Capitol, North Carolina voters will make some of the most critical choices ever in determining the kind of government that will serve them from Raleigh and Washington.
We must do our part to be informed, engaged, involved – and most importantly – to make our voice heard and count by voting. We cannot let outsiders tell us what’s best for us, nor leave it to others to make our choices. Nothing speaks louder than a ballot cast. Don’t be silenced.
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