Letter: Don’t just complain, get out and vote

I’m glad we had an election Nov. 3 because it honors our self-government system, a people’s democracy. Sadly, the election could have been much better.

There were 66 positions listed in the voters’ pamphlet. Of those, five had no candidates and 32 positions were unopposed. That left voters with a choice in only 29 races. The voters had no choice for a judge, two mayors, seven city council seats and 12 school board positions.

Having no choices is bad enough, but of the 90 declared candidates, 42 provided no candidate statements in the voters’ pamphlet. An election is hardly an election when there aren’t enough candidates to go around and those who do run don’t provide any information about themselves. Whatever happened to government of, for and by the people?

I am a candidate for Position 2 of the Kennewick Irrigation District because I believe voters should have a choice on Dec. 8 when the election will be held at KID offices, 12 W. Kennewick Ave.

Had I not filed for the KID seat this year the incumbent would be unopposed and returned to office without a vote of the public. Don’t just complain. Get out and vote.

This story was originally published November 21, 2015 at 5:22 PM with the headline "Letter: Don’t just complain, get out and vote."