Letter to the Editor: All Can Serve by Voting

On this national day of service, let’s remember our role as “the people”; it’s participation. Orcas Islanders are peerless in the performance of our primary job as citizens – the vote.

You probably know that ballots will be mailed to each voter registered within the Orcas Island Park and Recreation District late this week. We hope everyone takes the time to color in the little box, carefully remembers to sign, and then either mail their ballot, or just drop it into the postage free box in front of the Senior Services Center.

Last November our voter turnout led all other county’s, but two. More than 80% of Orcas Island’s eligible citizens took the time to exercise their right to vote. Among the 80% were 115 people who voted on other things, but didn’t vote either way about Park and Rec funding. The rest favored funding by a majority of almost 59 to 41, alas: it takes 60% affirming to levy taxes for Park and Rec funding.

But back to that 80%, or rather, the other 20% – that was 727 of us! 33 of these tried to vote, but their ballots were voided for some reason – please remember to sign the pink envelope, strange though it feels. 9 ballots were challenged, whatever that means. One person, at least, was deceased and unable to help out. I bet several dozen were just a hair late.

There is a large body of active Rec supporters among the 727 though; they are brand-new eager voters at College or away doing other great things. These people know exactly what a nice park and a well-run Rec organization do for a community, or at least did do. Please get their ballots to your kids that are out there somewhere. Let’s get out all of the vote.

Ian Lister