The Flathead Valley’s Leading Independent Journal of Observation, Analysis, & Opinion. © James R. Conner.

 

10 May 2013

In school elections, producing the highest possible turnout
should govern the choice of balloting methods

Should the FVCC election have been conducted by mail ballot? For me, the answer is Yes, and not just Yes, but Yes fortissimo — and I dislike and usually oppose elections by mail ballot (see Mail Ballot Folly). Turnout does not increase in general elections conducted by mail, but it does in common low turnout elections (school and municipal, primarily) conducted by mail, and the boost can be dramatic.

There are only two reasons, neither good, not to conduct these elections by mail ballot:

  1. Saving money. A cheap election is valued more highly than the highest possible turnout election.

  2. Choosing voters. In low turnout elections, voters with vested interests in the election — teachers unions, school employees, parents associations — do have high turnouts and therefore have a greater impact on the outcome of the election.