Low voter turnout raises voter apathy concerns in Dallas Co.

From the West Alabama Newsroom–

A small group of people around Alabama — is making important decisions that affect everyone in the state. And you might be surprised to find out — just who they are.

On the heels of celebrating — the right — the power — and importance of the vote at the annual Bridge Crossing Jubilee — voter turnout in Dallas County was 23-percent. That’s 23-percent of registered voters picking the potential leaders of the county — for everyone else.

“That’s not sending a good message out to the world,” said Probate Judge Jimmy Nunn.

“This is where we marched across the bridge, this is where many people fought, this is where people lost their lives, this where people got brutally beaten, so we can have the right to vote. And we are not taking advantage of that.”

Voter turnout statewide was even lower — with only around 20-percent of all registered voters — actually going to the polls to vote. While 80 percent of voters opted to stay at home.

“Our government is not there for us anymore. They’re there for themselves, they’re there for the money, they’re there for whatever they can get for themselves,” said Stacy Hegge.

Hegge says the country is headed in the wrong direction — and how we do politics nowadays is proof.

“We have learned to hate more. We have learned to be angry at each other,” she said.

“There are a lot of factors there,” said Sanders.

“And I don’t think that’s because people value the vote less.”