We measure public participation by tracking the percentage of eligible citizens who vote in off-year elections, to better reflect interest in local issues and candidates. Kim Wyman, Thurston County Auditor states, “Post-presidential primary election voter turnout is typically the lowest of the four-year election cycle… I have conducted elections since 1993 and have repeatedly seen that the elections with the lowest voter turnout are the ones that affect your daily life the most… I am expecting (this year) a higher general election turnout than usual due to the medical malpractice, gas tax, and smoking ban initiatives."  More active citizen participation, e.g. testifying in public hearings, serving on citizen advisory boards, petitioning government, and demonstrating on public issues would be difficult to measure.

Ms. Wyman continues to say that, "Representative government requires active participation.  When people choose not to participate in the selection of their leaders, the community ultimately suffers.  The direction elected officials choose to take may only represent a small segment of the population.  This direction may not be in line with the overall community and may end up being a divisive force."  Steve Homan, Elections Manager for Thurston County stated that, "The more input citizens can give a community, the better direction that is offered to the government.  It is often that the minority gives the direction if people do not voice their opinion during an election.”

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