After reviewing election records in the town clerk’s office, I have concluded that Amherst residents feel disconnected from their system of government.
Over the last five years, there has been a precipitous drop in voter turnout in local elections. From 2006 to 2010, turnout averaged 20 percent of registered voters, but since then it has dropped to an average of 10 percent. In 2015, voter turnout was 7.35 percent.
There is good reason for 90 percent of voters to feel that their votes don’t matter, because the ballot does not present them with many choices.
Over the past 10 years, 33 percent of precincts have not had enough Town Meeting candidates to fill the open seats. Another 27 percent of precincts have had either the same number of candidates as seats or just one more candidate.
This year, four of the 10 precincts don’t have enough candidates, so 12 seats will be filled by write-ins. This unwillingness of residents to run for Town Meeting has persisted despite the fact that the number of signatures required to get on the ballot was reduced from 10 to one.
Many Town Meeting members are dissatisfied with the institution. Six of the 10 reform candidates for Charter Commission in the March 29 election are current or former Town Meeting members.
Over the past 10 years, an average of 29 percent of Town Meeting members have failed to show up for scheduled sessions. During that time, an average of 12 Town Meeting members a year have resigned their seats. Many residents elected to Town Meeting by write-in votes decline to serve.
Nick Grabbe
Amherst