High voter turnout in Ferguson adds two black council members, for three total

[brooklynite]

Source: St Louis Post-Dispatch

FERGUSON • The Ferguson City Council added two additional African-American council members Tuesday, for the total of three out of the six-member council.

...snip...

Winners included 1st Ward candidate Ella Jones, who is black. She defeated three other candidates, two white and one black.

In the 3rd Ward, Wesley Bell defeated Lee Smith. Both men are black.

In the 2nd Ward, Brian Fletcher defeated Bob Hudgins. Both men are white.

Read more: http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/high-voter-turnout-in-ferguson-adds-two-black-council-members/article_422cb33f-c172-53de-a0c8-29386630ec72.html

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Voter turnout rose from an average of 12% to 29%.

[still_one]

1. It is a start

It

[yeoman6987]

2. Yes it should be 4-6 at least to represent Ferguson

Maybe 5-6.

[brooklynite]

3. Ferguson has staggered Council terms...

I think this was the maximum likely pickup for this election.

[Freddie Stubbs]

20. 4-6 what?

[yeoman6987]

21. Oh my God....meant 4-2

[jwirr]

4. Great that is a good start.

[cui bono]

5. That is good news, but to call 29% turnout high shows the sad state of our democracy.

Yes, I realize it is high relatively speaking. And I'm guilty of not voting in every local election as well.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

7. That's the times when the Right Wing slips things through.

[cui bono]

8. Luckily I live in a very liberal neighborhood.

Although I do remember seeing a McCain sign somewhere when I walked my dog. And someone put a flyer up on their fence stating that they didn't appreciate someone tearing down their Obama sign. But you hardly see any of that around here.

My neighbors have the weirdest thing in their yard... it's a pic of Obama's face in the center of a daisy like flower. lol. I think the weather has ruined it by now though. (not that I think Obama is very liberal if at all, but it's definitely not a right wing neighborhood)

[Spitfire of ATJ]

10. I live in Vegas....

A guy from California moved into a house across the street who thought this would be a good place to open a landscaping company that refuses to hire "Mexicans". He's now leaving in disgust because there just aren't enough racists for him. That, and the City told him he can't refuse to hire someone based on their race. He actually thought he'd be a mufti-millionaire by now.

[Bluenorthwest]

18. Beats many of the major cities, this apathy toward local elections is pervasive....

"University of Wisconsin researchers provided Governing with elections data covering 144 larger U.S. cities, depicting a decline in voter turnout in odd-numbered years over the previous decade. In 2001, an average of 26.6 percent of cities’ voting-age population cast ballots, while less than 21 percent did so in 2011. Turnout for primary and general local elections fluctuate from year to year, but long-term trends in many larger cities suggest voter interest has waned........
While generally low, big cities’ turnout rates vary greatly. Many on the low end are in Texas -- only about 11 percent of registered voters cast ballots in the most recent mayoral elections in Fort Worth and Dallas, both of which held competitive open-seat contests. By comparison, 44 percent of registered voters came out for San Diego’s special mayoral election earlier this year."
http://www.governing.com/topics/politics/gov-voter-turnout-municipal-elections.html#graph

So for Ferguson, they doubled turnout from their own last election, more than doubled Dallas and the increase seen is remarkable relative to their own history and to other towns and cities. It's admirable and demonstrates that all the activism by Ferguson residents got results.

[bluestateguy]

6. It's a majority black town

With good voter turnout in the next couple of election cycles they can take over the town.

[mountain grammy]

9. It is a start, but 29% turnout in a city that's been where this city's been..

I don't know. I wonder what Dr. King would say? The state can make it difficult to register to vote, but they can't make it impossible. Before Selma they could.
Everyone better goddam start voting in this country or we're screwed.. and run for office too. Crap, I even did it. Even won once.

[Spitfire of ATJ]

11. I know the local authorities were fund raising by arresting people....

I wonder if the local laws tell them they lose the right to vote for jaywalking.

[riversedge]

12. I am really surprised. Thought there would be a hugh turnout.

[quakerboy]

15. Doubling the usual is pretty good

and seeing a result like this would seem to me to make it far more likely for even better turnout next time.

[Bluenorthwest]

19. It's double their last local election, it's also higher than the national average for larger cities

Dallas last election, 11%. One of the better cities for turnout is San Diego, 44% in local elections. National average in 2011 was 21%.....

[christx30]

13. Nice to get some good news on DU.

Now it's time to change the way the city is funded, and not cite and fine your citizens to death.

[Jack Rabbit]

14. Wonderful news

It provides a needed lift after Rahmbo didn't his ass Chuyed.

[Hulk]

16. Lesson to be learned!!!!!

THIS is what happens when you vote! You get representation that reflects your community, state, country. NOT voting puts more neocon, bible-thumping evangelical screw balls in offices of power. CUT IT OUT! VOTE!!! damn it!

[malthaussen]

17. On the other hand, if 29% turnout was enough to throw two of the bums out...

... imagine what a 39% turnout would have done.

-- Mal