Tags: democracy, politics, voting
Over at TPM reader KS send in a this picture and anecdote of a voting station in Kenosha, Wisconsin:
I’ve voted in 8 different cities in 5 states, and by far the most beautiful polling place I have been assigned is the Southport Beachhouse, in Kenosha, WI (see attached). It’s a WPA-era, Art Deco-esque park district building on the shore of Lake Michigan. If the sunrise weren’t so brilliant, you could see the Lake through those windows behind the voters.
Word on the street is that voter enthusiasm for the Democrats is rather low right now meaning fewer Democrats are going to get schlep out to the polls and vote (I’m looking at you JR). Obviously in certain previous years this has been the case for Republicans as well. I wonder though, would a pretty polling station make a difference at all? Though it might not make an outstanding difference, would a polling station in say, a nice museum encourage people to come cast their vote? Right now, most polling stations are located in places that aren’t exactly easy on the eye, though they are easily accessible. Maybe if the background was prettier a few more people would vote, even in years of low-voter turnout.
–Daniel Strauss
Update: It’s polling places like this that makes me think a slightly nicer setting would improve voter turnout.
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2 Comments
I don’t think it would make a difference at all. My primary directive is to go vote because I feel it is my duty as a citizen- it could be in a gas station or the Oval Office. Th only reason I won’t make it out is because my polling place is far away and I’m not motivated enough to drop everything and try to make it work. (OK, maybe I would go out of my way to see the Oval Office, but a pretty museum? Forget it!) What would help? Giving people personal incentive to be interested in the politics around them. All I have heard about has been social security benefits for retirees, tax breaks for head honchos, sending jobs overseas… all valid topics in politics, but not something I’m willing to get fired up about.
Who is JR?