The question that needs to be asked is:
“what did this single issue election cost the taxpayers?”

It doesn’t matter what it cost. Right now we should be asking why people claim their patriotism to this country yet don’t participate. There are countries that don’t allow their residents to participate. Our Country does and so many think their daily lives are so important voting is secondary. Everyone had a chance to voice thier opinion and 94% of the people decided not to. Go to Arlington and look at the grave markers of those who died to give us the right to vote and tell me what would they think about a 6% voter turn out.

You raised a good question, truthdetector. I’ve updated the post.

The funny part about this specific case of low voter turn out is that proponents of the tax increase were betting on low numbers. By keeping the public uniformed of the special election or the lone issue on the ballot, the groups in favor of a tax increase were able to quietly stack the deck in their favor. It is really quite surprising that the vote was as close as it was (52-48%).

This is a perfect example of “Every Vote Counts”, which makes it even more disappointing that so few voters showed up.

verbal, apparently this issue wasn’t important to the voters. If they don’t go vote that is their right too. Since our soldiers have died protecting their freedoms, should everyone write an editorial and submit it to a paper too? Should everyone join a church? Should everyone buy a gun?

The important thing is that we have the right. Using it is up to each individual, as it should be regardless of what you or I think about it.

I agree that it’s ridiculous that only 5.5% of the voters turned out but DNS is right. The supporters of this wanted a low turnout. They could have put it on the April ballot with wording such that it would be a tax increase “up to” a certain number and that would be offset by and funding that came through. The fact is that they counted on low turnout.

As a side not it’s ridiculous that we have up to 3 different elections every year (April, August and November). Make it mandatory that all elections should be held in November (with an earlier primary when needed). Then you would see voter turnout jump.

But in the end not voting is a vote that you don’t care. In this case you don’t care whether your taxes are increased to pay for this system. So when people complain about taxes, and the like, the first question I always ask is whether or not they vote. If they say ‘no’ then the conversation is over. Maybe if everyone did this it would show them the cause and effect of not voting.

Truthdetector: I checked into how much this election cost the taxpayers…over $100,000.00!!! How ridiculous! First of all, the county has known about this for quite some time. There is no reason why this could not have been put on last November’s ballot. The obvious reason is that the county wanted this to pass! This never would have passed in a million years if it were on the ballot during a normal election, instead some little bs election like this. If you read the entire thing on the ballot, this extra tax can actually be extended and go on til 2031! WE ARE LITERALLY GETTING TAXED TO DEATH! Pay attention when you make a purchase within a “special tax tourist area” like downtown St Charles. You’ll be paying close to 9% sales tax. This area even includes 5th St where Lee’s Chicken and Jack In The Box is. I would just like to know when are the American people going to stand up for something? When are the American voters going to lay down the law to our elected officials and tell them enough is enough? It is time that our government and school districts learn to work with what they have…and quit raising our taxes. With all the people out of work, where are you going to get the taxes? Speaking of which, our government bails out Chrysler…then Chrysler in turn shuts down the Fenton plant and is going to build those cars in Mexico! Excuse me! Our tax dollars bailed out Chrysler…it was not Mexico! I encourage every voter to refuse to vote for any official who is currently an incumbent…let’s wipe the slate clean…send a message. You cannot call it representation when our leaders are not representing us and our needs. And, on another note…you had better start looking at what this national healthcare is all about. Not only is it more than we can afford, it also pretty much puts your healthcare decisions in the hands of government. That should scare you at least a little bit. Sorry I rambled on. But, I am not happy with what I am seeing here.

DNS: You are exactly right. They timed this just right. But, verbaltrrist makes a valid point. If we, as Americans, do not want to lose even more, we have to get out and vote. I can say that I ALWAYS vote, no matter how insignificant it may seem. It only takes a few minutes normally (your employer has to allow you the time) to vote. Look at people in third world nations who risk their lives to vote. And, we, spend more time picking up movies from the Red Box than we do casting our votes. We have become very complacent. And, complacency amounts to being asleep at the switch. We are going to live to regret our lack of involvement in our own government. Remember Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address? Here is an exerpt: Lincoln referred to the events of the Civil War and described the ceremony at Gettysburg as an opportunity not only to consecrate the grounds of a cemetery, but also to dedicate the living to the struggle to ensure that “government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” We, as citizens, have a responsibility here! Government is not a service we are paying for! We, The People, are the government. Our unique constitution gives us the privilege to take an active part in our government…to have some control over our destiny of sorts. Complacency is not good, not good at all. It makes you wonder, why did so many Americans give their lives to ensure the very freedom that we seem to be caring less and less about every day that goes by.

I received a notice in the mail last week to vote on the 4th. I researched the issue and went and voted. It is a disgrace that individuals do not take the 10 minutes to go vote, no matter what the issue. Because of what is going on in Washington I will be voting in every election and researing each issue in depth. We have got to get more involved in every aspect of our communities in order to start making changes for the better. If you did not vote DO NOT complain!!

This is how you get these little items passed; hold an election in the middle of summer and no one shows up! A total disgrace. Everyone who is registered received a CARD! How can you say you did not know there was an election? Good excuse for just being LAZY! We spent somewhere around $400,000 for this ONE issue? What a JOKE!