Mayors Bright and Kincaid Pull Most Votes
Mayor Bobby Bright of Montgomery was able to avoid a run-off with a strong showing in last night’s mayoral election. Defeating his leading challenger, Scott Simmons, by a 2 to 1 margin.
Mayor Bernard Kincaid of Birmingham, running in a field of 18 candidates, received 32 percent of the vote and will face City Councilwoman Carole Smitherman in a run-off on November 4.
Neither one of these results is surprising. However, both races reflected extremely disappointing voter turn-out figures. With as much complaining as you hear in both these cities about the Mayor’s office, you would think people would have seized the opportunity to make their voice heard.
As Steven pointed out in a comment yesterday, is it the American way to vote anymore. It seems that anymore to be American means you don’t vote unless it’s an election for President. This is an unfortunate apathy (something I was a part of for a period of time) with few evident solutions.
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October 21st, 2003 at 8:10 pm
Actually if memory serves, this turnout for the Bham mayor is a few percentage points better than in recent mayoral elections. But about the apathy, you are right.
Perhaps we should have Super Friday instead, and withhold paychecks until a (presumably educated) vote is held!
Love love love the site, keep up the good work!
October 22nd, 2003 at 8:04 am
I believe that we must try something new to get people energized about city politics. I’m not so sure about withholding paychecks, but it would be a bold move!
Thanks for the compliment. Please continue to post your thoughts.
November 5th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
Interestingly, even for accountants :)))))