2023 Election Update: Why Every Vote Matters!
Educate. Advocate. Mitigate. Activate!
It truly amazes me that many voters say they reason they do not vote is because “it won’t matter.” That is a crazy defeatist attitude. EVERY VOTE IS IMPORTANT AND EVERY VOTE MATTERS!
In fact, especially in “off-year” local elections, with only a 36.41% statewide voter turnout in 2023, percentage wise, each vote is actually much more valuable.
There is no better example of this than in the recently concluded WA State 2023 elections. Did you know that there were many races decided by only 9 or fewer votes? Here is a summary:
Adams County: Hatton Mayor - Decided by 2 votes
Adams County: Hatton Town Council - Decided by 2 votes
Adams County: Hatton Town Council - Decided by 2 votes
Adams County: Hatton Town Council - Decided by 2 votes
Clallam County: Cape flattery School Board - Decided by 3 votes
Cowlitz County: Kelso City Council - Decided by 4 votes
Ferry / Okanogan Counties: Curlew School Board - Tied (decided by coin flip)
Grays Harbor County: Aberdeen Mayor - Decided by 4 votes
Grays Harbor County: Aberdeen City Council - Decided by 9 votes
Grays Harbor County: Cosmopolis Town Council - Decided by 2 votes
Grays Harbor County: City of Elma - Decided by 9 votes
Grays Harbor County: Ocean Shores City Council - Decided by 1 vote
Grays Harbor County: Ocean Shores City Council - Decided by 4 votes
Lewis County: Hospital District - Decided by 6 votes
Skagit County: Sedro-Woolley City Council - Decided by 8 votes
Skagit County: Sedro-Woolley School Board - Decided by 6 votes
Thurston County: Rainier City Council - Decided by 1 vote
Wahkiakum County: Cathlamet Town Council - Decided by 6 votes
Yakima County: Naches Town Council - Decided by 2 votes
Of Note: The Snohomish County Fire District Position 7 race was only decided by 14 votes with 30,045 votes counted
Other notable close races:
King County: Mercer Island School Board - Decided by 15 votes
King County: Newcastle City Council - Decided by 14 votes
King County: Woodinville City Council - Decided by 18 votes
2023 was the lowest turnout general election in our states recorded history, and as expected Democrats taking away tax-advisory votes from the people really hurt voter turnout.
5082 Abolished Advisory Votes! In WA State, before 5082 was law, voters got an opportunity to weigh in on taxes that were passed by the Legislature without their direct approval. "Advisory Votes" were often the only time voters heard of a new tax. Since 2012, advisory votes on 38 tax increases appeared on the ballot.
Why would Democrats make a law to abolish advisory votes? Perhaps it is because most every time voters got an opportunity to go on record, they overwhelmingly VOTED AGAINST RAISING TAXES BY HUGE MARGINS.
In truth Dems just don't like what voters have to say about taxes. To increase voter turnout, the answer is to listen to the voters instead of stealing their voice...What a Concept!
So, the next time you or someone that you know is thinking about not voting, please remind them that their vote could mean the difference in a Marxist or a common-sense Conservative writing and enacting new laws and making everyday decisions that directly affect all of us.
PLEASE VOTE IN 2024 - IT IS YOUR DUTY AS A CITIZEN! AND MAKE SURE YOUR FAMILY, FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS ALL VOTE!
Bill Bruch
Bill Bruch is the WA State GOP Election Integrity Chairman, WSRP Executive Board Member, 4-Term Skagit County GOP Chairman, Citizen Journalist, Blogger, Business Owner, “2021 Citizen Activist of the Year” award by the Olympic Conference, 2020 WA State House Representative Candidate, Former Council Member, and WA State 2016 RNC National Convention Delegate.