Will voter apathy extend to November?
Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
A dismal turnout for Tuesday's primary election could be even worse during the fall general election.
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The primary brought out roughly 12 percent of registered voters in Philadelphia, compared to 16 percent during the last D.A. and Controller elections in 2005. Mayor Michael Nutter says he's baffled by the low turnout.
Nutter: The District Attorney's office is a very important office in Philadelphia, the Controller's office is very important in Philadelphia so I don't know what it's about.
Zack Stalberg of the election watchdog group The Committee of 70 called the turnout pathetic, but says the total could actually go down in November.
Stalberg: If neither of the republican candidates for the local offices are able to mount a strong campaign we could see something in single digits in the fall.
Stalberg is hoping for a better turnout next year, when voters will choose a new governor and senator.
And what happens to statewide Democratic judicial candidates now that low turnout is all but guaranteed for the southeast part of Pennsylvania, which they depend on for most of their votes? That's the story here. Republicans losing to Democrats in Philadelphia is a story that's over a half century old.