Today’s Daily Times reports on remarks and recommendations by a political science teacher at Salisbury University about voter turnout in Salisbury’s City Elections. He suggests that it is low because of lackluster candidates and/or high voter satisfaction with current City Government. That analysis calls into serious question his academic credentials.
Voter turnout here is a function of significant aspects of the registration laws. First, Maryland’s “motor-voter” registration law results in many persons being placed on the voter rolls who have no intention of voting, but other laws prevent them from being removed for failure to do so. And it is an onerous process to remove persons who have moved away.
Given the City’s large tenant population, a low turnout is not surprising. And another factor is the voter registration drives in national elections like the one last year that put persons on the rolls who are interested only in electing a particular person as President, Congressman, etc.
Prof. Basehart’s opinion about the nature of Candidates is too subjective to evaluate, but his postulate that many or most City residents are satisfied with the current administration, even if he happens to be, is ridiculous. Did he get that doctorate at Matchbook Univ.?
His report presents the typical academic measures to increase voting that are standard fare in Poly Sci, 101 – voting by mail, etc. – and fertile ground for fraud and political shenanigans (can you say “Richard Insley”). If those are such wonderful schemes, how come they haven’t been adopted in most other cities and counties?
DelMarVa's Premier Source for News, Opinion, Analysis, and Human Interest Contact Publisher Joe Albero at alberobutzo@wmconnect.com or 410-430-5349
25 comments:
You want to know why there's low voter turnout? Because the city doesn't plan their elections on the same day as national elections. Why are we voting in MARCH? Why not last Nov. 4th, when everyone was going to the polls, anyway?
To suppress voter turnout, that's why.
Dr. Basehart has his PhD from Ohio State University.
Joe, just because you don't like his opinion doesn't mean he's necessarily wrong...of course, it doesn't necessarily mean he's right, either.
Fact is, when people are ticked off with government officials, they show up and vote them out. However, that's only true if they think that the alternative candidate will be different.
I think it's fair to say that the people of Salisbury either think all is well or they think that voting won't do any good.
Chances are, the answer is "some of both."
Dr Basehart is a good man and great professor! Hes also a Vietnam veteran, don't be too harsh!
Mike Dunn used to say that the poor turnout at City Council Meetings was evidence that people were satisfied.
No, Mike, it's because the meetings were moved up an hour earlier so fewer working people could make it.
Turnout was down as more people were gaveled down and yelled at by...YOU!
Turnout was down as more people learned that their will, their voice counted for NOTHING.
The local "studies" that come out of the "university" make me wonder about that place. No offense to the guy in question here.
Joe:
You're on the mark -- the election laws result in the registration roll being filled with persons (some who no longer even live here or breath) who will never vote. If the rolls were properly and regularly purged of the deadwood, those who cast ballots would be a much higher percentage, probably 50% or more.
Basehart may have a valid PhD degree and be a vet, but his theseis is all wet.
If the Daily Times would publish the real news, the voters would skyrocket to get Barrie and Bubba out of City government.
Joe, while I appreciate and agree with the majority of what you say, I have worked with Dr. Basehart and I cannot believe you would call this man out like that. While you may not agree with his assesment or what he has to say, to accuse him of academic fraud and criticize his record is totally unfounded and uncalled for. Isn't this the sort of politics and muckracking the Mayor and her cohort would engage in? You are better than this.
10:06-
Welcome to the real world -- it's not like life in the Ivory Tower.
Mr./Ms 9:34:
It's "thesis" you alumnus/alumnae of Matchbook U. (or is it Sam Hill Institute of Technology?).
Sorry, but you need to apologize. Dr. Basehart is a great professor and has been a highly respected member of the faculty for over 35 years.
I dont care who or what he is this is ridiculous. How would the voters be happy with the goverment they have, for years the daily slime only gave the public a slanted bias view, so how would the public know. That piece of paper on his wall is worth what?
Anon 9:19 you make a great point there. if we had the election on the same as the National election we would save the tax payers thousands of dollars
My suggestion would be to keep it away from the gubernatorial election as there are already to many things to vote on. Ie. State, County, bills, etc.
Anonymous said...
No, Mike, it's because the meetings were moved up an hour earlier so fewer working people could make it.
9:50 AM
If you remember Mikey had the meetings moved up an hour so he could get his beauty sleep.
Anonymous said...
Dr Basehart is a good man and great professor! Hes also a Vietnam veteran, don't be too harsh!
9:34 AM
He is a liberal buttwipe like most educators.
The reporter on today's article is the same as on the article last week about Richard Insley's effort to con his tenants into voting for Bubba Comegys? Her idea of journalism and good government is somewhat bizarre -- and I believe that she is an SU grad who was involved in PACE when a student there.
The circle closes. . .
It's further proof that SU ain't Johns Hopkins -- in academics or lax!
Who really wrote that Joe? Surely not you.
Anonymous said...
The reporter on today's article is the same as on the article last week about Richard Insley's effort to con his tenants into voting for Bubba Comegys? Her idea of journalism and good government is somewhat bizarre -- and I believe that she is an SU grad who was involved in PACE when a student there.
The circle closes. . .
11:15 AM
I remember she was at the GOP Function at the Fountains the night of the national election questioning/interviewing McCain supporters. When she left I noticed she had Obama stickers plastered all over her vehicle. Nothing like a liberal journalist expressing her opinion and then writing biased articles. She should at least pretend to be unbiased.
He may be a great professor , he
may satisfy your experience with learning , but he may not have a clue when it comes to what we need in this city. I've found that people with the gift of gab aren't
worth a hill of beans , look at Obama , good comparison.
Bob Caldwell's letter in today's DT really takes that Daily Times reporter to task for the mud she threw at him last week in the article about Richard Insley's attempt to trash him.
It's also on Mr. (let's make that Mayor, asap) Caldwell's website at
electbobcaldwell.com
Hobie88:
Did he play for Woody Hayes?
I don't know Dr. Basehart. I'm sure he's a fine fellow.
But it's already known on a national level that when trust in the govt. is low, voter turnout is low. Salisbury adds other obstacles to the process, too. Like somebody said, elections in the spring are stooopid.
Apathy is the reason for low voter turnout. People just aren't involved like they used to be.
Give me the grant and I'll back up all that stuff I just said.
"PACE" is SU's spearhead to control Salisbury by keeping Barrie and now Bubba Comegys in office. That comment about people being happy with the city government is this year's effort -- two years ago it was all those students who registered and gave a "Holloway Hall" address.
Janet D-E will resort to any means.
"Isn't this the sort of politics and muckracking the Mayor and her cohort would engage in? You are better than this." No he isn't. He started it!!!
Joe,
Now you are questioning the opinions of a PHD and insulting his education? If you don't agree that is fine but don't insult the man's intelligence. That just makes you look stupid.
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