When it comes to elections, we're spoiled (05/11/07)

Folks, you're spoiled.

You've come to expect that when there's an election you'll get to vote.

Sounds simple, right, one of those fundamental aspects of being an American.

But - as far too many would-be voters in Marion County found out on Tuesday - sometimes an election can be so bungled, so mis-managed, and so incompetent that all the usual assumptions are off.

Reporters covering the Marion County mess this week had to scramble to find the words to do justice to the injustice involved.

There's nothing that raises the ire of Americans more than disenfranchisement, taking away someone's inalienable right to vote.

That's true even if it's a primary election and not a lot of votes are going to be cast.

Each one matters.

How bad was the Marion County electoral trainwreck? Five precincts never even opened their doors. Forty-five opened late. Ballots were sent to the wrong locations. And no one really knows how many voters simply gave up in disgust over the whole fiasco.

The county clerk overseeing things is running her first election, but her campaign was based on bashing her predecessor over shortcomings in earlier elections. Given her first big chance to show she could do the job, she failed miserably.

Sure, elections are easier to run in rural counties like ours. And when you're dealing with a limited number of races and the low voter turnout that happens when there are few races, it gets even easier.

But elections are something this country has been doing for more than 200 years. By now, you'd think they would run pretty smoothly.

Tuesday's disastrous attempt at an election in Marion County reminds that's not always the case.

No doubt about it, we are spoiled. - J.R.[[In-content Ad]]