I just voted and boy am I bummed.

[Stonepounder]

Not because of the turnout, the poll workers said it had been pretty steady all day.
Not because of 'poll watchers' because there weren't any.
Not because I figured my vote was worthless, because I voted for Alison Grimes to Dump Mitch.

No I'm bummed because it seems like Democracy in America is doomed. Over 50% of the local offices to be filled, from City Council, to judges, to commissioners, to sheriff, to jailor, to city mayor, were all running unopposed. (Oh, and they were almost all REP). If all politics are local, where are the Democratic climbers of tomorrow? Where are the Democrats 'making their bones' in local elections before trying for the State positions and the National positions? Why are all these Republicans running unopposed?

The 'grand experiment' has been concluded. And the people have lost.

[SheilaT]

1. In my part of New Mexico

many local races have only one candidate, but here it's a Democrat. Running unopposed happens all too often.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

2. The bummer: Kentucky is a relatively poor state, but people continue to vote against

their best interests and on behalf of big industry. All the Democrats, except for your governor, see it as a lost cause. He's the best the Democratic Party has left.

[lsewpershad]

3. This is why

we need to bring back Dr dean. We need grassroots democracy at every level.

[TBF]

4. That was my experience as well

here in TX. There were some races in which the choices were repug, libertarian or green. At least I had the Green candidate to choose. Many local judges were repugs & unopposed. This is deep in the heart of Texas.

[Papagoose]

5. There are no Democrats running in my County or Congressional seat

I wrote myself in for a lot of jobs!

Papagoose for Congress, County Commissioner, City Councilman, School Board and whatever else you need me to do!

[Smarmie Doofus]

6. I always write my own name in when the DEMS and GOP have cross-endorsed.

Or when the DEM is just no good and there's no progressive alternative on the ballot.

Today I got ( At least!) one vote for Surrogate Judge and and one for Criminal Court Judge.

I think I got one for state assembly also.

Pickins are slim in this neck. I may have voted for only ONE DEM on the DEM line... though I voted for at least one more DEM on a third party line.

To your larger point... an awful lot of people figure the system is corrupt and there is no point.


And then again.... a lot of people are just dumb.

[Stallion]

7. This is the "Other" Result of Gerry-Mandering

Not only are elections not as close but there is less incentive for a competitive challenger to even run for office in the first place-this happens in both Republican and Democratic districts

[BobbyBoring]

8. Same in my little corner of MD

Not a single D for anything! Sherrif was the most disturbing!

[okieinpain]

9. Good post.

[FSogol]

10. Step up and run. Fill the need or identify someone and ask them to run. n/t

[otohara]

11. Diana DeGette - D Colorado Never Opposed

nobody can beat her in my liberal district.

I did a write in as a protest vote - not happy with her okay-ness with military grade equipment in our police dept.
It's mainly her constituents who are the recipients police brutality.

[The Traveler]

12. I had the same experience in 2012

And I was bummed. I'm in Georgia. But this year I saw only one unopposed Rep incumbent on the ballot ... significant improvement. Things can get better.

Trav

[WhiteTara]

13. You can always step up and run.

You'll either win or lose.