Voter turnout lower than expected

By Francisco Barrios

Douglas Dispatch
Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, March 21, 2012 4:04 PM MDT


City of Douglas Clerk Brenda Aguilar received official results for the consolidated election to choose the new Douglas’ Mayor, as well as City Council members for Ward 1, Ward 3 and Ward 5 on Wednesday, March 14.


Aguilar said in Douglas there are a total of 6,919 registered voters, but after counting all the votes from the six precincts in the area only 1,506 actually voted, which represents 21.77 percent of the registered voters. To vote, the City of Douglas and Cochise County offered two ways to do so, early voting by mail and voting at available polling places in all six wards.

Aguilar mentioned that possible causes for the low turnout in the past election held on Tuesday, March 13 could be due to work reasons that did not allow going out to polling places and the inadvertence of the early ballot in the case of early voting by mail.

She also noticed that from the total of ballots’ cast 1,020 of the votes came from early voting by mail, while 486 votes were delivered at the polls.

All the candidates that participated in the election expressed their gratitude to the people of Douglas and Cochise County that showed their support by voting.

Incumbent Councilmember Ben LaForge said that this victory is not for him but to all the people that trusted him towards this quest.

“My many supporters and my lifeline made my career as a public servant what it is, a successful one,” LaForge said. “Our hard work paid off. I look forward to having regular public forums and one major forum that would include all the council and all of the City of Douglas at City Hall and hopefully that would be held bi-annually; this is something I think it would encourage more input from the public.”

Newly elected Council member for Ward 5 Luis Greer said he feels deeply honored with the confidence my constituents have shown in electing him for Ward 5.

“I will strive and work hard for you and for the community of Douglas,” he said. “I will work together with the newly elected Mayor and Council members to move Douglas to a bright and better future.”

Official results for Mayor and Wards 1, 3 and 5:

Mayor of Douglas

Danny “dj” Morales, 386 votes (25.73%)

Danny Ortega Jr., 1,112 votes (74.13%)

Write-in, 2 votes (0.13%)

City Council Ward 1

Margaret Morales, 156 votes (95.71%)

Write-in, 7 votes (4.29%)

City Council Ward 3

Lynn Kartchner, 174 votes (48.88%)

Benjamin “Ben” LaForge, 180 (50.56%)

City Council Ward 5

Lourdes “Lou” Estrada, 111 votes (47.84%)

Luis Greer, 121 votes (52.16%)

 

Copyright © 2013 Douglas Dispatch

Comments

    just wondering wrote on Apr 15, 2012 5:07 PM:

    " If the mayor-elect was such an ineffective school board member, why was he re-elected for more than one term???? There are so many people who are quick to criticize and throw stones; but when the time comes to running for office, be it school board or city council, very few throw their hats in the ring. I applaud all the candidates that ran for city council. With so many people complaining, maybe there will be more candidates for the next election! "

    Juan R. wrote on Apr 13, 2012 3:06 PM:

    " Very low voter turn out shows people don't really care. Everybody comlpains but no one votes. A very sad commintary
    about Douglas and it's people.

    32327894 (this number has a special meaning to those in elected office in Douglas) "

    Clyde wrote on Apr 7, 2012 7:23 AM:

    " To Dizzy
    Sorry but the present mayor elect was ineffective as a school board member and I believe he will be as ineffective as a city official. "

    Person wrote on Apr 4, 2012 1:15 PM:

    " To Dizzy

    Sorry if I offended you, but to deny this town is promised alot and given very little by attacking me shows you are part of the problem and not the solution. I don't see anything wrong with expecting voted officials to keep their word after being elected. Our council turns down offers for business to be brought to Douglas all the time. We need those jobs and you want me to vote for people who deny us this opportunity? I stand by my previous post, when someone worthwhile comes along I will gladly vote for them. "

    Dizzy wrote on Mar 29, 2012 4:19 PM:

    " To Person,
    you should step up and try to do the job! Register to vote and go for it. In fact, you don't have a voice in this matter since you don't vote! "

    Person wrote on Mar 27, 2012 10:00 AM:

    " The day someone who can actually make Douglas a better place steps forward will be the day that I vote. All my life I heard promises of change and that this town will eventually be a better place, and after 28 years I still have yet to see it. Fix Douglas Now is what the townsfolk should be saying, at best this election is yet another hollow victory for the few aiming to press their own agendas for their benefit instead of making life better in general for everyone who lives here. "

    Charlie wrote on Mar 24, 2012 10:44 AM:

    " To Miguel- I believe Hermit the Frog could have run and would have given Danny a good run for the mayoral race. People are tired of all the empty promises spewed out prior to the election and never followed up on. The winner is a prime example of present day politics. "

    miguel wrote on Mar 22, 2012 8:50 AM:

    " Only 1500 people voted? Douglas should be ashamed... "

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