After all that has transpired in Ferguson, will residents vote?

[nadinbrzezinski]

32. Or working two to three jobs

Last edited Tue Apr 7, 2015, 05:52 PM - Edit history (2)

And there is no time to vote.

Regardless tell me what is the average turnout in an off year election for Fergussn MO? I am on the road, so doing this from the phone. Huff post ran the number in the morning. 15 percent. I am going from memory.

CNN expects at least two, maybe three African Americans in City Council, again, from their morning reporting.

As to why you cannot comprehend why people are afraid. Ferguson is an extreme case of what I am hearing in San Diego. I recommend you walk down to the hood in NYC and have a long conversation with the alienated youth about that thing you call voting. If you listen and don't interject why you think voting is the absolute solution to this... I guarantee an education.

I also recommend you read the DOJ report, from start to finish. You might thnk those fears are silly, and from your POV they are. Mostly you have never had that conversation with young teens because of the police. Anecdotally you have never had an 8 year old back away from you because your media ID is issued by the same PD occupying the neighborhood. Yes, this is exactly the way it feels to residents. They are under occupation.

Your OP was not nice. People tried to explain this to you. If you listen, you might even learn why people's of color in this country have the same low opinion of the political process being the grand savior as I do, as well as the Oligarchy study from a certain major University. You might want to read that as well.

Have an excellent day.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/07/ferguson-election_n_7016256.html
Huffpost story ]

"This may be a little municipal election, but ... city council can have a tremendous impact in the community," said attorney Denise Lieberman, who has helped run a voter protection program for the Advancement Project civil rights organization.

"These local leaders make important and significant decisions that affect the day-to-day lives of people," Lieberman told Reuters.

CNN

St. Louis elections officials said they had no indication that turnout in Tuesday's election would be any different than other years. But among the candidates inspired by recent events to run for office, there was hope of seeing greater voter participation.

And from the WAPO why you have a low turnout, and this is NOT an accident

Ferguson holds municipal elections in April of odd-numbered years. In doing so, the town is hardly unique. Approximately three-fourths of American municipalities hold their elections in odd years, a Progressive-era reform intended to shield municipal elections from the partisan politics of national contests, but one that has been shown to have a dramatic effect on reducing turnout.

For the record, MSNBC is also reporting higher than usual turnout... just in time before I have to turn to local city council meeting on city tv.

Final edit, Brooklynite, that link to the DOJ report is not to my coverage of it, though we read it, in full... but to the actual report. And yes, also a link to the Princeton University Study, not once, but twice.