Mecklenburg Voter Turnout Down – Update
If ever there was a year where your single vote could make the difference in an election, 2011 is shaping up to be that year.
Without the benefit of “up ballot” races to generate publicity and excitement amongst the electorate, off year elections typically enjoy a significant drop-off in voter participation when compared to the Congressional and Presidential election years. This year is no different, and is thusfar trending even lower than usual.
In 2008, the last Presidential election, Mecklenburg County voters turned out to the tune of 66.18%.
In 2009, turnout fell to 21.19%. The largest races on the ballot that year were for Charlotte Mayor and City Council At-Large.
In 2010, with races for Congress and Senate back on the ballot, turnout climbed to 37.98%. While still a far cry from 2008 numbers, it nearly doubled the prior year’s turnout.
So far in 2011, with thirteen locations available for early voting, the vote total currently stands at 5,208. At this point in the 2009 election, voters at Mecklenburg’s twelve early voting locations had cast 5,810 votes. We are looking at 89.6% of the turnout when compared to two years ago.
If that trend holds, Mecklenburg may be looking at a voter turnout of slightly less than 19% this year.
With only races for Charlotte Mayor, City Council, and School Board At-Large on the ballot (as well as municipal elections in Mecklenburg’s six towns) there might not be one single race garnering voters attention, but each of these positions has the potential to wield a significant influence on your life. Your vote is important, and this year likely more important than ever.
UPDATE:
As of this morning, November 3, the numbers continue to sink. There have now been 6,775 early voters compared to 8,885 in 2009. This nearly 24% drop could lead to overall voter turnout of about 16%. To reiterate: YOUR VOTE COUNTS!
Election Day is November 8.
Early voting times and locations:
HAL MARSHALL ANNEX
Located at 618 North College Street
October 20–21 (Weekdays) 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
October 24– November 4 (Weekdays) 8:00 AM – 7:00 PM
October 29 (Saturday) 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
October 30 (Sunday) 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
November 5 (Saturday) 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Final Day)
Additional Locations And Hours of Operation
Beatties Ford Road Library 2412 Beatties Ford Rd., Charlotte
Hayes Building (Ballantyne) 11405 N. Community House Rd., Charlotte
Independence Regional Library 6000 Conference Dr., Charlotte
Main Branch Library (Downtown) 310 N. Tryon St., Charlotte
Matthews Branch Library 230 Matthews Station St., Matthews
Morrison Regional Library 7015 Morrison Blvd., Charlotte
Mountain Island Library 4420 Hoyt Galvin Way, Charlotte
North County Regional Library 16500 Holly Crest Ln., Huntersville
South County Regional Library 5801 Rea Rd., Charlotte
Steele Creek Library 13620 Steele Creek Rd., Charlotte
University City Regional Library 301 E. W.T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte
West Boulevard Library 2157 West Blvd., Charlotte
October 29 (Saturday) 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM
October 30 (Sunday) 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM
October 31 – November 4 (Weekdays) 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
November 5 (Saturday) 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM (Final Day)
For directions and further election related information visit our web site
www.meckboe.org
There will be NO Early Voting at the Board of Elections Office.
VOTE!
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