In my home county-- where we have a 10% majority in registrations-- every single county "row office" (Sheriff, DA, Prothonotary, Controller, everything except the fucking dog catcher) that was up for election flipped Democrat with a 5% margin. Total voter turnout, all parties, was under 50%.

The answer to "WHY????? For the love of God, WHY?!?!?!?!?!!?!" is: Because Pennsylvania Republicans suck at voting.

We should've had this in the bag. The prize this time locally is a crappy Sheriff incoming-- whose whole platform was "terminate the county's agreement with ICE"-- along with an incoming DA who was crap as a prosecutor, crap as County Solicitor, and is a political-wind-sniffing rodent who will prosecute strictly according to the crap mandates of his crap political masters. Every school board is now majority blue. In other words, crap. A big ol' crap sandwich.

At the state level, all of the Supreme Court was up on for a "retention vote." These are political hacks who gave us the flawed 2020 Presidential Election, COVID lockdowns, you name it. Retained by nearly a 30 point spread in a state where Dems only have a 2% advantage in registrations.

But, nope. That whole "Get to the polls?" Too much trouble.

Fuck us. Fuck us to tears.

I share your feelings of disgust. I was really hoping that those judges would go down. People must not think these "off year" elections are important. So, so wrong.

Voter turnout in the counties around me was 51-53% as well. Disappointing, to say the least. The counties were good and red, but the total number of votes wasn't high enough.

And ... the retention vote for PA supreme court did not say R or D, just Y or N for retention.

What's the thinking behind the lack of participation? Is there a belief that the inevitable next phase of the cycle is imminent and they just want to hasten it? Let it come be be done w/ it; shake the tree and start over? Or why the apathy?

quote:

Originally posted by preten2b:

the retention vote for PA supreme court did not say R or D, just Y or N for retention.

Trying to remember* ... I'm pretty sure that the judge retention questions on the ballots here, do not specify party affiliation.

---

*When you reach my age, you'll find that memory is the second thing that goes.

Yea, parking lot was empty at my polling location.

quote:

Originally posted by preten2b:
And ... the retention vote for PA supreme court did not say R or D, just Y or N for retention.

I remembered this from last time and made sure I had a list of what/who to vote for with me.

quote:

Originally posted by preten2b:
And ... the retention vote for PA supreme court did not say R or D, just Y or N for retention.

My ballot showed party for Judges up for election but the Yes/No votes for retention did not show party.

I live in Allegheny County and all ballots can be viewed in advance of the election. I printed a copy of the ballot for my municipality, ward and district then researched the candidates. I carried it to the polling place.

I agree, turnout was dismal. There is no excuse.

The recent election in NYC, everyone was giddy claiming "record" turnout of 2 million voters, forgetting to mention there are currently over 5.5 million registered voters in the city alone, with Republicans representing approx. 25% of the voters.

quote:

What's the thinking behind the lack of participation?

I can only guess but too many people are fed up with all the division in this country. They are falling right in to the ultra left's plan to get people on the right to throw up their hands and not vote or monitor the vote to keep it fair.

I have come to the conclusion that being old I might get lucky and die before the whole system collapses.

gjgalligan wrote: "I have come to the conclusion that being old I might get lucky and die before the whole system collapses."

I am 70 and think about the same thing. However, the socialists, communists and other ne'er-do-wells are rapidly taking ground. While I breathe I will take every opportunity to stifle that movement through voting, letter writing and other peaceful means of expressing my position.

Best way to figure out the judicial Y or N vote is to find out who appointed them. Other than that it is a joke to call judges non-partisan.
Why the laziness to get out and vote has always amazed me.

I’d be willing to bet that the percentage of registered voters who actually voted was pretty close to the national average for any vote. Roughly 64% of men and 67% of women for the last presidential election but lower for primaries and local. Without looking it up I believe it’s about 53-55%.
I’d love to see an honest study on the reasons why but I’m afraid published results would actually be the numbers of a politically driven agenda.

No tinfoil hat here but after the 2020 election I have zero faith in the voting system. I voted and I saw plenty on my side voting as well.

VA republicans are the laziest ones I’ve ever seen. To make it worse, they talk a good game about guns it can’t be bothered to pay attention until Dems take over and start floating anti 2nd bills.

26% turnout in my area...

Voter turnout in this state SUCKS in non-Presidential years and always has.

Don't forget they allow everyone and their uncle to vote by mail now for everything too which skews turnouts.

Scott Presler worked hard on this incumbent PA SC judges thing and it was all for nothing, these were the same set of assholes that were ruling by fiat during Covid and now are going to gerrymander this state to death to favor the Democrats forever.