the staff of the Riddgewood blog
Ridgewood NJ, according to voter turn out data the average April turnout for Board of Education Elections is actually higher since 2007 than November . Average April turnout is 21% and November is 16%.
This disproves the Board of Ed assertions to the contrary . A reader commented ,” The figures do not support a higher turn out in November. Over the last several years of compiling figures it shows the reverse. In 2016 when it was a presidential election, the numbers were up but not significantly so. Down ballot voting is almost always .lower. The issue for many is that when the Board of Education elections were moved to November, we lost the ability to vote on the budget. When that happens, it is harder to advocate for budgetary items you are for or against. There are fewer presentations and fewer people holding seats choose to listen. We also have seen many uncontested candidates elections. Incumbents keep their seats with little to no challenge. “
Also of interest is that studies made before the move in 2013 concluded that there would be a lack of interest which could result in uncontested BOE Candidate elections . This proved to be true.
yeah, but what about April 2018 only 14 percent turned out. Not worth it; people need tough love. Maybe when they realize elections cost taxpayer money and the right to vote has to be earned by voting; when the school board budget vote is taken away, maybe they will vote for other state and national elections and not be so blase and passive. Not skip the state and national elections. Hardly anyone voted on the budget. People do not care; or perhaps they think the council will still give the BOE most of their money even if voters vote no on the budget, and that is correct. More important to vote for BOE members. Members will represent the community on the budget. Don’t many towns skip the budget vote.
I mean April 2019; you know what I mean.
Anonymous “not worth it” is right. The council will still give the BOE most of the money even if voters vote no. It is more important to vote for BOE members that will represent taxpayers.
What is the source of this data, please? This conflicts with data available from the Bergen County Clerk.
I see all the dictatorial fascists want to eliminate the right to vote since it is inconvient and not worth it.
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nice!
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Proper governance and oversight are important. The vote keeps everyone more focused.
Ridgewood is one of the largest school systems in NJ. It needs proper controls, more so than what a smaller system might require.
We can afford to spend a billion dollars on a school budget but can’t afford the cost for the election.
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Not buying it.
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Let’s not call people fascists when we disagree with them about something like this. We have enough of the real thing running the country.
Calling it like it is.
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Eliminating the right to vote… sounds Fascist to me.
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