According to census data, the population of Evansville, Indiana on April 1, 2020 was 117,298. Estimates were that 21.6% were under the age of 18; nearly 92,000 people were of voting age. In the 2023 mayoral election, there were 83,021 registered voters (roughly 90% of the voting-age population).
The election was contested by 3 candidates: Stephanie Terry (Democrat), Natalie Rascher (Republican), and Michael Daugherty (Libertarian). Stephanie Terry won the election with 8,685 votes (48.63%), with Natalie Rascher securing 7,140 votes (39.98%), and Michael Daugherty at 2,033 votes (11.38%).
Among registered voters, 18,001 ballots were cast, accounting for 21.68% of all registered voters in the city of Evansville. Thus, a little over one in five registered voters participated in the mayoral election. Although a full assessment of voter participation in mayoral elections across the country is difficult to find, sources indicate that 20% is typically average voter turnout.
In the 2024 presidential election, slightly less than 74% of the voting-age population was registered to vote and slightly over 65% of the entire population voted. While this election had one of the highest turnouts in history, data since the early 1820’s indicates that the voter turnout for presidential elections is consistently above 50%.
So why such a low turnout with local elections? Theories abound but typically center around a few key areas (beyond barriers voters to all elections face). One, elections are often held off cycle from national elections, and thus may “fly under the radar.”
In 2016, when Baltimore shifted from off-cycle to on-cycle elections, voter participation increased from 13 to 60%. Other possible culprits are that voters may have less ready exposure to candidates and their platforms, and also may be unaware of how local appointed officials influence their daily lives.
Here in Evansville, given that the political climate is (fortunately) more tempered than on a national stage, voters may sense that any candidate is unlikely to alter their lives, even if different philosophies exist.
Yet mayoral operations do have a significant impact on our lives just as a CEO of any company can certainly impact a worker’s degree of productivity, satisfaction, and well-being.
Regardless of trends, the overarching question is simple. How do we increase voter participation in local politics, and furthermore, engagement in helping our community flourish so that individuals can thrive, too? Citizens will never be of one mind, but we can all be of one pursuit.
For a vision to engage voters on issues that matter every day for all of us, read here:https://james-schroeder.com/a-vision-for-evansville-prioritizing-health-well-being-in-the-river-city/
James Schroeder is a husband and father of eight children and a pediatric psychologist. He is the author of seven books and numerous articles, which can be found on Amazon or his website, www.james-schroeder.com. Send comments to jimandamyschroeder@gmail.com.
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Schroeder: How do we engage those who are disengaged?
Reporting by James Schroeder, Columnist / Evansville Courier & Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By James Schroeder, Columnist | USA TODAY Network
