I want every registered voter to vote, 100%, though I know that’s likely an unreachable grail. Give me 80% and I’ll be cheerful.
In my opinion, the more turnout we have, the better decisions we make, because we have a better representation of the beliefs of our citizens.
I won’t tell you what to vote for, except I will say that I’ll vote for 1A. Larimer’s .15% sales and use tax looks like it will make a great, positive difference in our roads, bridges, and other transportation infrastructure over the next decades.
Your Town Board sent two ballot issues to the voters, so – let democracy prevail, but it is a weaker democracy if you don’t get your vote in. Many have spoken about the topic of those ballot issues, and this is now your chance to bring out the big numbers and make the call.
I am always bothered the fact that half of the residents of the Estes Valley can’t vote – those who live in the unincorporated parts of the valley, the Larimer County portion – in Town elections.
We say, accurately, that we have 5,900 residents of Estes, that’s the town numbers. But there’s about the same number of people who live in the unincorporated area, for a total of more than 11,000 residents in this valley. It is unfortunate that even though they are part of the community, they cannot vote in Town elections.
The area’s special districts – the Estes Valley Fire Protection District, the Estes Valley Recreation and Park District, the Park Hospital District (doing business as Estes Park Health, the Estes Park Sanitation District, the Upper Thompson Sanitation District, and the Estes Park School District R-3school – have a broader voting map, and residents in those districts can vote in those special district elections.
Over the years, through annexation, I hope to incorporate many more residents of the valley into Town elections.
This is all the more reason that, if you are in Town limits, you must get your ballot in on time with your choices. I’ve never missed voting in an election since I was 18 years old and I’m 70 now.
Please vote in the November election and let freedom ring.