Why Voter Turnout This Month Was So Low

Re “Election Turnout Hit a New Low,” March 8:

The extremely low turnout in this year’s primary reflects our nation’s lack of concern for our ailing democracy. From low voter turnout to the botched 2000 presidential election, the problem is obvious: It is the lack of respect that the candidates and media give the youth of this nation.

The media assume their apathy. The candidates debate questions that come from an older demographic group and pander to the concerns of the youth as being naive. There is little encouragement for the youth of this nation to care about politics. What we need is a debate between the candidates for governor to engage the youth.

The more the concerns of the youth are brushed aside, the weaker and less democratic our society will be in the future.

Nathan Thaddeus Stankowski

Costa Mesa

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To the effects of the primary’s timing and ballot complexity, I would add that “the Greatest Generation” is passing from the stage. I would guess that an analysis by precinct would indicate that voter turnout is directly linked to age.

In the precinct I supervised, the percentage of registered voters who turned out was 42%, not the 31% reported for the state. Voters made the effort to come to the poll using wheelchairs, walkers and canes. Several indicated that they had voted in every election for more than 40 years.

Further, I believe voter turnout can be viewed as a thermometer gauging the underlying patriotism of the populace. If so, our leaders should be concerned about our subnormal temperature.

David S. Swan

Corona Del Mar