More must be done to address lower voter turnout
It was estimated that only about one-third of registered voters, not exactly an overwhelming majority in this state, actually took themselves out to the polling booth and voted this Election Day. For many, this is a depressing, but predictable, turn of events - indeed, this same predictability could stand as one of the reasons why it's so depressing.

The usual suspects stand in the lineup when searching for a reason why: cynicism over the state of politics, a lack of personal connection to local issues, and, of course, general voter apathy. Joining these familiar bugaboos is the dearth of national campaigns this year. In a country where it's considered impressive when more than half the registered voters participate in presidential elections, what chance do local races have?

Yet, after all these reasons for depressingly low voter turnout are trotted before us, what's even more depressing is that many of them are understandable. Corruption remains a fact of life in politics at all levels, despite every candidate's willingness to talk about how its corrosive influence has poisoned government. The belief that one can actually have a say in political life, meanwhile, is becoming more rare - grab any random person off the street and ask if they feel their opinions matter to the government. Their answer will probably not surprise you.

True, the voters have much to account for as well. The fact is that for many, Hollywood has far more allure than Washington or Trenton. Some feel that politics has no impact on their daily lives, which is most certainly not the case. Others, meanwhile, are well aware of what tomfoolery goes on in government, but simply opt to quietly seethe rather than fight for change.

Government and the voters they serve must meet each other halfway. Politicians must strive to avoid the corruption and incompetence that drive cynicism and apathy in the electorate, and at the same time, allow for more opportunities for people to directly participate in the political process. Voters, meanwhile, should take more of an interest in their governments at all levels and make an effort to perform the task for which our veterans fought and died to allow us to do.

If neither of these things happen, we'll just see this same editorial next Election Day. And how sad that will be.