I just found out that if I can discourage 10 people from voting MY VOTE is 10 times more powerful!!
The following consists of 4 flyers plus the backside (that is basically identical for every flyer) that were developed since 2005 to encourage low turnout precincts to vote. It is difficult to determine if the flyers had an impact because of the low numbers involved. (One of the targeted precincts with 600 plus registered voters had 80 persons voting in the preceding election so a 40 voter increase in the next election is a huge percentage increase but still long ways from 50% total turnout. 50% is the goal because that is what the precincts in the 27th & Sheridan Blvd. area always have.)
An underlying philosophy of LINCOLN NEIGHBORHOOD ALLIANCE is that most neighborhood problems are political in nature because the solutions usually involve tax dollars. Since there are many powerful forces after those tax dollars it is crucial that neighborhoods participate in the political process. The most efficient way of doing that is to vote.
Please use and/or modify these as you see fit. If you have problems coping the images contact LNA through the CONTACT US link and we can make separate arrangements. Please share with us the actions that you have done that have increased voter turnout for your area.
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HEY BOSS
I just found out that if I can discourage 10 people from voting MY VOTE is 10 times more powerful!!
KEEP THAT A SECRET! That is very true and if people do not vote because they believe that their vote does not make a difference, then our two votes have a much bigger impact!
There is a precinct in Everett Neighborhood where 232 registered voters have not voted in the last 5 elections and 221 other people have voted only once. That makes my single vote 453 times stronger!
Their non-voting habits make it easy for our 2 votes to have a big impact in any election. It is the people that we elect that controls how our property and sales taxes are spent. There were only 4 votes separating the 2 state legislature candidates in last year’s primary in a neighboring district.
There are 565 persons registered to vote in YOUR precinct but 164 have not voted in the last 5 elections. Many precincts had over 300 voting in May’s 2006 election but YOUR precinct only had 198 voting.
IF YOU DO NOT VOTE YOU DO NOT COUNT
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NEIGHBORHOOD MATH
NEIGHBORS PLANNING +VOTE = NEIGHBORHOOD BETTERMENT
Let’s face the fact that some elected officials give Lincoln’s older neighborhoods a lower priority. This is obvious during Lincoln’s budget time. This should not be. A large tree with a diseased center will collapse in a very major storm; so will a city with a diseased center.
WE HAVE A RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP OUR AREA HEALTHY
Everybody pays taxes twice: property tax and sales tax. Lincoln’s budget received $55 million from sales tax & only $36 million from property tax.
The city needs your sales tax and you need to guide them in spending your money! A neighborhood voting habit can influence budget priorities and this neighborhood must not be left out. NOW is the time to establish a vigorous voting habit. YES, it is work to vote but a consistently high voter turnout can result in a safer neighborhood.
What difference would a higher turnout make?
If 95% of Everett and South Salt Creek registered voters actually cast a ballot, the City Council of May 2005 could have changed. Whether that is good or bad, your vote DOES make a difference!
Politicians pay attention to areas where the voter turnout is good because THEY NEED THOSE VOTES.
REMEMBER VOTE FOR THE PERSON THAT BEST REPRESENTS YOUR
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ONLY PROPERTY OWNERS CAN VOTE
WAS THE LAW UNTIL THE 1850’s.
Thomas Dorr spent 2 years in prison in 1841 for trying to change laws so that all males could vote; not just landowners. Fortunately for us, this was changed in most states during the 1850’s and the 15th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution made it nation wide.
This voting privilege was bought with a price, and yet, in the Everett Neighborhood only 141 of 669 registered voters that have apartment addresses used that privilege in the May 2004 City Council election. The Sheridan Blvd. area had 358 (53%) of their registered people voting.
Everybody pays taxes; either directly (sales tax) or indirectly (apartment rent). Lincoln’s budget received $55 million from sales tax & only $36 million from property tax. The city needs your sales tax and you need to guide them in spending your money! A neighborhood voting habit can influence budget priorities and we must not be left out. NOW is the time establish a vigorous voting habit. YES it is work to vote but a consistently high voter turnout can result in a safer neighborhood.
What difference would a higher turnout make?
If 95% of Everett and South Salt Creek registered voters had actually cast a ballot, the May 2005 election results could have changed. Whether that is good or bad, your vote DOES make a difference!
REMEMBER VOTE FOR THE PERSON THAT BEST REPRESENTS YOUR INTERESTS
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WOMEN ARE NOT QUALIFIED TO VOTE
Does that statement make you mad? It should! That was one of the arguments used early last century by people in power. Women were only given the right to vote with the 19th Amendment to the United State Constitution in 1920. Prior to that there were protests, arrests and violence, including a demonstration for women's voting rights held during President Wilson's 1913 inauguration where 200 women were injured out of 8,000 marching for this right and privilege.
Library of Congress photo
What have women done with this right to vote?
Not much. In the 2004 May City general election only 184 (25%) of Everett Neighborhood's registered women voted. The Sheridan Blvd. area had 54% of registered females voting.
What difference would a higher turnout make?
If 95% of Everett and South Salt Creek registered voters had actually cast a ballot, the May 2005 election results could have changed. Whether that is good or bad, your vote DOES make a difference!
REMEMBER VOTE FOR THE PERSON THAT BEST REPRESENTS YOUR INTERESTS
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BACKSIDE OF THE FLYER
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1. Early/absentee ballot - this has changed considerably. ANY registered voter is permitted to vote early for any reason. Apply by mail or pick up at Election Office 601 N 46.
2. ELECTION DAY at polling place --
To find your polling location on the web:
use https://www.votercheck.necvr.ne.gov/
Then click “search your polling place”
Leave “select an election” as is
then enter address (if using numbered street must use modifier ie 14th, 23rd) & zip in appropriate boxes, Click search
OR
call Election commission, 441-7311, with your address & zip code between 8 AM & 4 PM.
Excellent web site for all types of info : www.ci.lincoln.ne.us/cnty/election
HOW TO VOTE
1. Vote for the candidate who best supports your interests. If the person cannot appear at neighborhood forums then he/she probably does not have your interests at heart.
2. The candidate should talk about issues. A candidate or his/her supporters should not degrade or smear the opponent, but rather concentrate on issues & solutions to problems.
3. Remember a proven, successful campaign tactic is to use high impact negative ads. The mudslinging campaign discourages issue oriented voters from voting because the voters are reluctant to get involved in ‘dirty politics’ which ALLOW THE FRINGE OR RADICAL VOTER TO CONTROL THE ELECTION. Those campaigns make it very important that everyone votes to keep the mudslingers out!
DEMOCRACY WORKS BECAUSE WE WORK AT IT
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