Changes proposed to get more voters

By John Fenuccio, NEWS STAFF WRITER
GHS
Sat Jul 07, 2007, 11:45 PM EDT

Westborough, Mass. - Turnout for national and local elections has been sparse in recent years and legislators on Beacon Hill are proposing a change to attract more voters.

The Joint Committee on Elections Laws is looking at legislation that would reduce the voting age from 18 to 17 to increase voter turnout in city or town elections.

"I think that anything we can do to improve voter turnout would be important to do but I would want to make sure that the people who are voting are committed to their local governments and their local environments and affairs," said Selectman Leigh Emery.

The state committee is also looking at allowing cities and towns to adopt local laws permitting non-citizens to vote for school committee, city council and board of selectmen.

"I would be in favor of something like that if it requires some type of permanent residence status because it shows a commitment on their part to their community. Hopefully they would be aware of the local politics and the local issues," said Emery.

The non-citizen would be required to certify that he or she lives in the local city or town and intends to become a citizen. The law would only apply in communities where voters approve a local ballot question.

In light of the recent immigration debate, some residents have their own opinions regarding citizenship and voting.

"If you want to vote, you become a citizen, it's as simple as that," said town attorney Greg Franks.

During this year's town election, out of 11,158 eligible voters, only 1,639, or 15 percent, showed up at the polls.
"So many people only vote during state and presidential elections," said Town Clerk Nancy Yendriga, who's seen a drop in turnout for local elections.

Fifty-five percent of eligible voters showed up at the polls during the 2004 presidential election in Westborough. Voter turnout among people ages 18 to 26 is the lowest locally. Selectman Timothy Dodd said that during his campaign he was advised not to waste any time speaking to people in that age group because they don't care enough to vote.

"I teach seventh-graders in middle school and even though they're 13 and 14 they still feel so removed from the political process," Dodd said.

While Dodd's seen the apathy among the youth, he does hold out hope that there is a large number of people who, if given the chance, would vote.

"I've always been interested in the political process and thinking back to high school I do know a lot of kids that would be interested in voting. I think really that lowering it would show younger people that they have a stake in their democracy," said Dodd.

Westborough requires voters to have registered with the Town Hall 20 days prior to the election. One common misconception surrounds the details of voter registration.

"A lot of people think that they have to register more than once and a lot of people think your voter registration follows you from town to town like a birth certificate," said Assistant Town Clerk Wendy Mickel.

Mickel also talked about the voter turnout surrounding this year's elections.

"I think it's apathy. People in Westborough think life is good and they do not feel the need to show up and vote at the polls on Election Day. People only seem to care about the School Committee races because Westborough is largely a family community," said Mickel.

One reason younger residents may not be showing up at the polls is because they don't feel connected to politics or they may not be sufficient up to date on political issues to form an opinion.

"I don't see a downside to 17-year-olds voting. I don't think they'd be any less educated then the rest of the people voting that I think in general are poorly educated. If you don't have an educated public, they aren't going to turn out," said Emery.

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