Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley laments the less-than-20 percent turnout in the recent primaries, and describes voting for elected officials as “the most sacred right of being an American citizen” (July 12 Review-Journal). She is wrong about that. The most sacred right of our citizens is to be left alone if they choose not to participate in politics.
It is especially annoying for elected officials themselves to encourage increased voting. For some politicians, more votes will increase their chances of victory. Others benefit when turnout is lower. This has nothing to do with the civic responsibilities they claim to espouse. It is primarily about their own electoral prospects.
And finally, what is Mayor Berkley’s argument? How does it benefit the body politic if people who choose to know nothing about the candidates and issues are pressured to vote anyway? And why is it any of her business how citizens prioritize their interests and activities so long as they live lawful and productive lives?
