Latest news with #electedofficials
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Granderson: Voters who don't vote? This is one way democracy can die, by 20 million cuts
During China's imperial age, those deemed guilty of the worst offenses were sometimes sentenced to death in a public square by a brutal form of execution known as lingchi. Soldiers — using sharp blades — would slice away pieces of flesh from the accused until they died. Translated, lingchi means 'death by a thousand cuts.' Maybe democracy does die in darkness, as journalist Bob Woodward often suggests. Or maybe democracy's demise comes in the light of day, in a public forum, where everyone can bear witness. Sometimes those holding the knives are the oligarchs or elected officials drenched in corruption. And sometimes there's blood on the hands of the people. On Saturday, voters in San Antonio — the seventh-largest city in the country — are headed to the polls to decide the first open mayoral race since President Obama's first term. Or at least some voters will be. In November 2024, nearly 60% of the 1.3 million registered voters in the county cast a ballot in the general election. However, in the local election held last month, barely 10% showed up to the polls. Before anyone starts throwing shade at San Antonio, in Dallas the turnout was even lower. Lackluster participation in an 'off year' election is not new. However, the mayoral race in San Antonio has increased national interest because the outcome is being viewed as a litmus test for both the strength of the Democrats' resistance and the public's appetite for the White House's policies. Like other big blue cities nestled in legislatively red states, San Antonio's progressive policies have been under constant assault from the governor's mansion. And with neither the progressive candidate, Gina Ortiz Jones, or her MAGA-leaning opponent, Rolando Pablos, eclipsing 50% of the vote in May, the runoff has drawn more than $1 million in campaign spending from outside conservative groups looking to flip the traditionally blue stronghold. The outcome could provide a possible glimpse into the 2026 mayoral race in Los Angeles, should the formerly Republican Rick Caruso decide to run against Mayor Karen Bass, a Democrat. When the two faced off in 2022, around 44% of the city's registered voters went to the polls. Caruso lost by less than 90,000 votes in a city with 2.1 million registered voters — most of whom didn't submit a ballot. It is rather astonishing how little we actually participate in democracy, given the amount of tax dollars we have spent trying to convince other nations that our government system is the best on the planet. Capitulating to President Trump's unsubstantiated claims of mass voter fraud, many local conservative elected officials have tried to ram through a litany of 'voter integrity' policies under the guise of protecting democracy. However, democracy is not a delicate flower in need of protection. It's a muscle in need of exercise. 'Some people find voting to be a chore,' Michele Carew, the elections administrator for Bexar County — which includes San Antonio — told me. 'We need to make voting easier and quite frankly, fun. And we need to get those who don't feel like their vote counts to see that it does. That means getting out and talking to people in our neighborhood, in our churches, in our grocery stores … about when elections are coming up and what's at stake locally.' Carew said that the added outside interest in the city's election has driven up early voting a tick and that she expects to see roughly a 15% turnout, which is an increase over previous years. It could be worse. The city once elected a mayor with 7% turnout back in 2013. Carew also expressed concern about outside influence on local governing. 'One of the first times I saw these nonpartisan races become more political was in 2020, and so as time goes by it's gotten even more so. I would like to think once the candidate is elected mayor they remain nonpartisan and do what's best for the city and not their party.' In 2024, a presidential election year when you'd expect the highest turnout, 1 in 3 registered voters across this country — roughly 20 million people — took a look around and said, 'Nah, I'm good.' Or something like that. The highest turnout was in Washington, D.C., where nearly 80% showed up. Too bad it's not a state. Among the lowest turnout rates? Texas — which has the second-greatest number of voters, behind only California. And therein lies the problem with trying to extrapolate national trends from local elections. Maybe Ortiz Jones will win in San Antonio this weekend. Maybe Caruso will win in L.A. next year. None of this tells us how the vast majority of Americans are really feeling. Sure, it's good fodder to debate around the table or on cable news shows, but ultimately the sample size of a mayoral election belies any claims about a result's meaning. Turnout during an off year is just too low. One thing we know for certain is most voters in America exercise their right to vote only once every four years. Oligarchs and corrupt officials are not great, but it's hard for democracy to stay healthy and strong if that's all the exercise it's getting. @LZGranderson If it's in the news right now, the L.A. Times' Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
LBCI
25-05-2025
- Politics
- LBCI
President Aoun praises municipal election success, urges 'teamwork' among new officials
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun congratulated the winners of the recent municipal and mukhtar elections and praised the efforts of the ministries of interior, defense, justice, security forces, and all those involved in the electoral process. The president praised the successful elections, saying they reaffirm the vitality of Lebanese democracy and the people's commitment to building their country. Addressing the newly elected officials, Aoun urged them to live up to their voters' expectations and work together as a team for a stronger, more prosperous Lebanon that honors its sacrifices and rich history. The president also stressed the importance of learning from past mistakes during the election process. He said the government must work diligently to ensure the next parliamentary elections are free from irregularities, which requires reviewing some laws and ensuring readiness in election organization and management.
CTV News
22-05-2025
- CTV News
Here's what you need to know about new ‘enhanced security measures' at Ottawa City Hall
People visiting Ottawa City Hall to renew a driver's licence and health card, pay a water bill, watch a council meeting or meet with elected officials will soon have to pass through a metal detector to enter the building. The City of Ottawa will introduce 'enhanced security measures' at City Hall on Laurier Avenue West, starting on Monday. The city says all visitors will 'have their bags screened' and will be required to go through a metal detector, similar to security at professional sports venues, before entering the building. Ottawa City Hall is home to a ServiceOntario centre and an Ottawa Client Service Centre, meaning visitors to the two service counters will be required to pass through security before entering. CTV News Ottawa looks at what you need to know about the new security measures at Ottawa City Hall. Why is the city introducing 'enhanced security measures' at City Hall? 'Over the years, security risks and incidents have evolved, resulting in various levels of government updating their security procedures for entry into their administrative and legislative centres,' the city said in a media release last Friday. 'As a result, the city will be adopting security screening measures, which is a best practice model that it is currently in place in other public-facing government buildings in the national capital region, as well as at City Hall buildings in Toronto, Edmonton and Montreal.' Entering Ottawa City Hall Ottawa City Hall will be open to the public from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. The city says all visitors will be asked to use the Laurier Avenue West or Lisgar Street entrances, where security screening will be set up. On weekends, you will only be able to enter Ottawa City Hall through the Laurier Avenue entrance. Security screening When you arrive at Ottawa City Hall, you will be required to have your bag screened and to pass through a metal detector. The city says during the security screening process, visitors will be required to: Place coats, cellphones, laptops, purses, bags and anything in your pocket onto a tray for X-ray screening. Visitors will then be asked to walk through a metal detector. Prohibited items The City of Ottawa says to avoid any delays at the entrances, visitors should not carry any of these prohibited items: Sharp objects, blades or tools Compressed gas cylinders, aerosol cans, or powders Explosive or flammable items Weapons, including toy replicas Noisemakers, megaphones or air horns Large placards or signs (that are not made of cardboard or cloth Current security measures In 2020, the city introduced security measures to enter Jean Pigott Place at Ottawa City Hall for committee and council meetings. Security access gates were installed at the two entrances, and security started inspecting purses, bags and coats before visitors passed through the gates. Entering through the parking garage The City of Ottawa says the parking garage at City Hall will continue to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. On weekends, visitors entering City Hall from the parking garage by elevator are required to use the elevators on the Laurier Avenue West side of the building.
