Contribute to the dialogue, vote during a year of major change in local government
If history is any guide, this month’s City Commission special election will be lucky to attract participation from one in five Gainesville voters.
Voter turnout has failed to top 20% in most City Commission elections over the past couple decades, typically only exceeding that figure when the ballot included a controversial referendum or high-interest presidential primaries. Turnout might be especially low this month, given the unusual timing of the Jan. 25 runoff election to fill an at-large commission seat vacated when Gail Johnson resigned.
The Sun is publishing guest columns from the two candidates in the runoff, Cynthia Moore Chestnut and Matt Howland, in order to better inform voters about them and encourage participation. We welcome letters to the editor of 200 words or fewer from readers on their preference between the candidates, but don’t publish longer guest columns opposing or promoting their candidacies from readers. We will stop printing election letters when early voting starts Jan. 21, so submit them as soon as possible.
No matter what happens in this election, turnout will undoubtedly rise in future commission races. Gainesville voters approved a referendum in 2018 that moved municipal elections from their traditional schedule in the spring to the August-November cycle that corresponds with other races that usually attract more voters, starting this upcoming August.
There will be four Gainesville races on the August ballot — for mayor and the City Commission seats in districts 2, 3 and 4 — along with primaries for governor, Cabinet seats, the Legislature and Congress. There are elections on the schedule this year for four Alachua County School Board seats and two County Commission seats as well.
In other words, this should be a year of major change in local government. Voters unsatisfied with the status quo need to get off the sidelines and take this opportunity to participate in the electoral process. But real change requires going beyond casting a ballot: Voters must demand candidates offer policy proposals on the major issues facing Gainesville and Alachua County and, if elected, follow through on passing them.
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Two columns published today, by Brian Bredehoeft and Patrick Sell, delve into the idea that culture-war debates are keeping us from developing solutions to the problems affecting people’s lives. I welcome additional columns from readers similarly making a good-faith effort to offer constructive ideas on improving our community instead of just criticism.
All opinion submissions should be emailed to letters@gainesville.com. The email address can also be used to send suggestions for my columns or Sun editorials. We are seeking new ways to engage readers in contributing to the opinion pages, so welcome any ideas.
We are fortunate to have smart and passionate people living in Gainesville and Alachua County who care deeply about making this a better place to live, but too often they are drowned out by louder voices. Residents can contribute to a more productive dialogue by submitting thoughtful opinion pieces as well as pushing candidates to support proposals that move our community forward.
Let’s make 2022 a year in which our community provides a model for solving longstanding problems rather than just shouting about them.
Nathan Crabbe is The Sun's opinion and engagement editor. Follow him at twitter.com/nathancrabbe and facebook.com/nathancrabbe.
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This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: Nathan Crabbe: Participate in year of change in Gainesville government
