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

[csziggy]

79. Got some figures and it's not good anywhere

Chicago only had a 28 percent turnout yesterday
http://www.nwherald.com/2015/04/07/chicago-mayor-runoff-election-turnout-light-after-heavy-early-voting/afgghxx/
Or maybe 40 percent: http://abc7chicago.com/politics/voter-turnout-around-40-percent-in-mayoral-runoff-officials-say/636412/

Sacramento had 23.27% turnout
http://www.eresults.saccounty.net/

Duval County, Florida (Jacksonville) had a 33.77% turnout
http://enr.electionsfl.org/DUV/Summary/1251

So it seems that no where that only local elections are held have good turnouts. Considering most places have between 60-75% turnout for presidential race years, this is abysmal. In fact, I consider the prevailing levels of voter participation for presidential years to be horribly low.

Way back when Al Gore was VP and tasked with increasing voter turnout, my husband suggested that eligible voters who aren't at least registered should not receive their federal tax credit. That seems a little steep to me, but something needs to be done to increase voter participation. And something needs to be done to reduce the number of people who are made ineligible to vote - people who have been convicted of a crime but who have served their time should have an easier path to regain their right to vote.

Got to go - I have several hundred (thousand) slides and negatives to scan and edit over the next few weeks.