In the “for what it’s worth” department Howard Dean won DC’s non-binding primary yesterday. Dean got 43% of the vote, defeating Sharpton who got 34%. It’s not really much of a surprise. DC is a pretty liberal city, in terms of residents (not counting Congress and the current resident of the White House). Everywhere I go I see signs for Howard Dean. The only other candidates whose signs I’ve spotted in the District is Kucinich.
Turnout, however, was not great.
About 15 percent of eligible voters cast ballots, more than other recent presidential primaries in the city but far below the number who typically vote in races for mayor or in general elections for president. Republicans, who will select delegates in a caucus next month, and voters without party affiliations could not vote yesterday.
I debated even bothering to vote yesterday. I figured I might as well, though it wouldn’t count for anything. I guess I was raised to believe that when the polls open and the ballots are handed out, I need to be there. It’s something I can’t get away from, even when it seems a pointless exerise. This guy pretty much expresses my opinion of the whole thing.
“It’s just a pageant show. It doesn’t count for anything. It’s just a waste of time,” said Richard L. Alexander, 54, a Southeast Washington disabled truck driver who didn’t vote. “If nobody recognizes it, what’s the purpose in being the first?”
Why doesn’t DC move towards some kind of binding primary vote?