Democracy is participatory

“We need to save our democracy” is a rallying cry heard increasingly often in these times – from both sides of the political fence. The harsh reality though, is that our society doesn’t seem to place much value in participating within that system.

In the June primaries, Doña Ana County only had a 15 percent turnout rate (New Mexico overall was about 23 percent). Voter turnout in primaries is traditionally less than what it is in the general election – and those we get to choose from in November are determined by a thin slice of registered voters. Apathy limits our choices.

In the 2023 election for city council, only 18 percent of voters bothered to make a choice. The 82 percent who didn’t show up are stuck with the results one out of five people chose. Go figure.

What is even more disturbing is that a growing number of elected officials have no competition at all. None. Example: Out of 112 seats up for grabs in the New Mexico Legislature, 41 of them (25 D and 16 R) were decided before the primaries because there was no challenger – not within their party or from the other side. Choices for voters are limited further, due to a lack of competition.

When there is no competition, is it any wonder why we get radicals from both sides of the political spectrum making rules that the rest of us have to live with? Elections aren’t won by a majority of voters, they are won by the majority of those who chose to participate.

If we’re going to save our democracy, we need to start participating. By participating, we can demand better candidates to choose between. If we don’t, well, you see what we end up with.

Kent Simpson
Las Cruces