Voter Turnout

The importance of voter turnout extends beyond merely counting votes; it is a vital measure of democratic health and civic engagement. High voter turnout ensures that elected representatives genuinely reflect the public will, enhancing the legitimacy and responsiveness of government policies to the diverse needs of the population. Key metrics for measuring turnout include voter registration rates, which gauge the proportion of eligible voters who have registered; turnout as a percentage of registered voters, which assesses the engagement of those registered; and turnout as a percentage of the voting-age population, providing insight into overall civic participation and community vibrancy. These metrics collectively impact the effectiveness of democracy, as they influence policy formulation and ensure that various community voices are heard and considered in governmental decisions.

There are several reasons why people don't vote. First, many people feel a sense of apathy toward the democratic process, meaning they don't trust elected officials or don't feel like the actions of elected officials will have any impact on their lives. Second, many folks report that they don't feel that they have enough information to make an informed decision on candidates, so they don't vote at all. Finally, there may be structural barriers preventing people from voting, such as not having transportation to the polls, being unable to miss work, not having the necessary ID, or not knowing where to go to vote. Generally, voter participation is highest in presidential election years and lowest in state and local elections that do not overlap with a national election.

In Bulloch County, 68.1% of registered voters cast a ballot in the 2024 election. In comparison, only 21% of voters cast a ballot for the general primary election in May 2024. Though a primary election, it acts as a general election in races where there is no democratic challenger on the ballot. In a heavily Republican county, that is not at all uncommon. In the county commission runoff election in June 2024, only 8.8% of voters cast a ballot. Only about 4,000 people cast ballots in a crucial local election. Local elections matter as much, if not more, than national elections.