Latest news with #voterapathy
Zawya
3 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Home Affairs Committee Acknowledges Electoral Commission of South Africa's (IEC) Introspection on 2024 National and Provincial Elections
The Portfolio Committee on Home Affairs yesterday received the overall 2024 national and provincial elections report and appreciated the strong introspection on the part of the Electoral Commission of South Africa (IEC), which will create a platform for self-correction and strengthened electoral processes. The committee is confident that the areas of improvement highlighted by the IEC did not have a direct impact on the elections being free and fair. 'The areas of improvement identified by the IEC, such as challenges with the IT system, faults with the voter management devices, voting station inefficiencies and the need for improved training of electoral staff assure the committee that the Commission is doing everything to improve the quality of voting experience and efficiency of a voting station,' said Mr Mosa Chabane, the Chairperson of the committee. The committee highlighted that the report also reaffirms the IEC's credibility as a body that delivers quality, verifiable and open elections. Despite this, the committee emphasised the need for a reassessment of how to address the challenge of voter apathy and declining voter turnout. The committee has emphasised that enhanced civic and democratic education strategies must be urgently implemented to ensure that the number of voters increases, thereby strengthening the country's democracy. 'There must be a reflection, not only from the IEC's perspective but from society in general, that voter turnout is unacceptably low and impacts on the strength of South African democracy, a hard-fought right,' Mr Chabane said. The committee reaffirmed the IEC's integrity and system veracity over time, and acknowledged improvement since its establishment. Additionally, IEC has been recognised as a benchmark for election machinery on the continent. Meanwhile, the committee reflected on the impact of Section 24 (A) provision in the Electoral Amendment Act. The committee called on the IEC to develop a report on both the positive and negative impacts of this section during the 2024 elections. The committee highlighted its strong view on the need to review this provision, especially in the context of the unintended consequences for voter apathy. The committee welcomed the assurance from the IEC that it is working on a reimagined voter experience that includes the value proposition that a voter does not spend more than 30 minutes in a voting station. This would require improving the quality of staff employed at voting stations, optimising processes, ironing out problems with technical tools and improving the response rate to challenges arising in voting stations. Meanwhile, the committee has urged the IEC to highlight any legislative gaps that the committee and Parliament can work on to ensure that elections are seamless. The committee welcomed the 59% increase in the number of voting districts over the past 25 years, which reduces the average spread of voters per voting station. The committee continued to highlight that voting stations must be as close as possible to the people to ensure ease of access. Furthermore, the committee has welcomed the processing of the legal matter relating to IEC Commissioner Dr Nomsa Masuku in line with and within the framework of the Constitution. The committee welcomes the fact that the Commissioner has not participated in IEC affairs since her legal challenges. On the expiry of the term of the IEC Chairperson, Mr Mosotho Moepya, and those of Judge Dhaya Pillay and Dr Masuku the committee thanked them for their service and integrity in advancing the work of the IEC. 'Their dedication and sleepless nights have contributed to strengthening South Africa's democracy,' Mr Chabane said. The committee has reiterated the need for continued protection of the IEC's credibility, as it plays a crucial role in promoting democratic processes. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Republic of South Africa: The Parliament.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
POLITICAL ROUNDUP: Voter apathy strikes again in latest city election
Voter apathy reared its head again in an election May 13 to continue the half-cent city sales tax, with only 419 out of 8,525 registered voters in Tahlequah participating. In September 2019, the same tax passed with 540 people voting, 423 for and 117 against. Efforts by the city to alert residents of the tax were made during meetings that were reported on by TDP and at other gatherings. In California and other states, residents are alerted by mail. Kristine Carrerow moved to Tahlequah in May 2021, and at a recent gathering she talked about how California informs voters about upcoming elections. 'California sends out sample ballots and usually an information booklet with a background on each of the candidates,' Carrerow said. 'Issues and bonds were addressed by both pro and con opinions in that same booklet that discussed the candidates. Materials inform the voters about upcoming elections.' Yolo County, California, has a system to keep voters up to date on what's on each ballot for every election. 'The Yolo County Elections Office regularly sends election notifications or mail to voters,' states the county's website. 'These mailings, most often required by law, range from notification cards to information cards to ballots.' The U.S. States Postal Service election mail logo helps voters easily identify the election office's mail. 'It is important to review any election mail you receive, as it may be a notice regarding your registration status, information on voting locations and official ballot drop boxes, or your ballot,' states the website. Tahlequah City Administrator Taylor Tannehill said the city took steps on 'multiple fronts' to get the word out, including an ad in the newspaper, local radio interviews, and social media. 'Additionally, we attended as many civic group meetings as we possibly could to provide a presentation on the vote and what it the measure entailed,' Tannehill said said. 'With those efforts, we still had a comparatively low turnout as it relates to registered voters.' Tannehill said there have been some discussions about including an insert in everyone's utility bills, and possibly another insert in the newspaper. Mayor Suzanne Myers said the percentage of 'yes' votes versus the 'no' votes indicates, even with a small number of voters, that most favored the extension. 'If citizens have recommendations for how to increase the turnout for future elections, please reach out to City Hall,' Myers said. 'We are always open to hearing from our citizens.' Ward 4 City Councilor Josh Allen believes in democracy and would like to see a larger turnout for important elections. 'Higher turnout shows us the will of the people,' Allen said. 'I would be in favor of using any cost-effective means necessary to get the word out.' Ward 3 City Councilor Stephen Highers said he was surprised to see voter turnout in Oklahoma is the worst in the nation, and that's for high-profile elections. 'The city is very limited in what we can legally do to advertise elections,' Highers said. 'But it is worth putting some efforts into voter engagement.' Former Mayor Sue Catron said one solution is to stop having single-issue elections. 'Linking city elections to other county, school and state elections would help ensure a greater number of voices are heard,' Catron said. 'And because the costs of an election would be spared, less expensive for the city.' In the Facebook forum May 17, TDP readers were asked if they voted in the May 13 election, and if not, why they didn't: 'Do you typically vote in elections, and what spurs you to do so? Why do you believe Oklahoma's voting statistics are so abysmal? What can be done to turn that around?' Gabrielle Perry said she didn't vote because she didn't know it was happening until the day before, and it was hard to figure out where to go to cast her ballot. 'I'm not putting all the blame on the city – if I had been checking more regularly, I probably would have seen it coming,' Perry said. 'But still, if they truly wanted more public engagement, there should have been more effort to reach people where they are.' Mailers, more social media engagement, flyers around town, mobile voting units, even partnerships with local businesses, are some of Perry's recommendations, and she said more collaboration could have made a big difference. Perry said Oklahoma's low turnout overall speaks to something bigger. 'If we want to change that, we've got to make voting feel accessible, relevant, and worthwhile,' Perry said. Bryn Smith is a registered voter who lives in the city limits. 'I typically vote and think it's important,' Smith said. 'I didn't vote this time due to being out of town; I didn't notice the vote was coming up soon enough to do anything about it. I strongly feel rural residents should get to vote.' That was a reference to the fact that although county residents spend money in Tahlequah, they cannot vote in municipal elections. Susan Feller voted, but it wasn't easy because she travels a lot. 'We need to go to a vote by mail system like Oregon; it is secure and efficient,' Feller said. 'Also, some controversial ballot measures are put forward when few other things are on the ballot so they can prevail with low turnout.' Melody DuVall said she always votes; it's the best way to give a person's opinion. 'I didn't see very much advertising for this last one; however, the best way to keep up with everything is the Oklahoma voter portal,' DuVall said. 'Though I think our sales tax is high, it is nice to see all of the improvements happening downtown.' What you said In a poll on TDP's website, readers were asked: 'Did you vote in last week's election for continuation of the sales tax to boost infrastructure?' The answer that got the most votes was, 'No, because I didn't know about the election,' with 39.1%; 21.7% answered, 'No, because I live in the county and am not eligible to vote in city elections'; 15.2% answered, 'Yes, and I voted for it'; 8.7% voted, 'Yes, and I voted against it'; 8.7% voted 'No, because I didn't care about the issue'; 4.3% voted, 'No, because I didn't have time'; and 2.2%% voted, 'No, because I am not registered to vote.'
