The student news site of Mill Valley High School

Mill Valley News

The student news site of Mill Valley High School

Mill Valley News

The student news site of Mill Valley High School

Mill Valley News

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Sorry, there are no polls available at the moment.
Sophomore Grace Holland and junior Miranda Hakes play the bubble battle game at the “Finding Nemo” station.
Gallery: Students participate in activities to fundraise for American Cancer Society
March 26, 2024
Opinion: Knowledge and advocacy give students the power to make change in the Israel-Hamas war
Opinion: Knowledge and advocacy give students the power to make change in the Israel-Hamas war
Olivia Peters, JagWire reporter/photographer • March 25, 2024
Video: Girls swim and dive spotlight
Video: Girls swim and dive spotlight
Ava Mendez, MVTV reporter • March 25, 2024
MVTV Sports recap: March 20
MVTV Sports recap: March 20
Aiden Lehr, MVTV reporter • March 25, 2024

Power of the vote especially poignant after recent election

Power of the vote especially poignant after recent election

On Tuesday, April 3, I left my newspaper work night for a short time to cast my first ever vote in the Shawnee mayoral and city council elections. The whole day I probably frustrated friends with how much I was talking about the elections. I was a very enthusiastic voter at the polling location. I had my photo I.D. ready to go before I even walked in the door, which I’m sure immediately told poll volunteers I was a first time voter. When I returned to the school to finish my newspaper work I wore my “I voted in Johnson County” sticker all evening and saved it to put on my bulletin board for later.

Ultimately, 11 percent of registered voters in the city voted on Tuesday. While the number is still very low, voter turnout did raise to a total of 9,803 as opposed to the last election’s 7,860. I can only hope that the community will respond in greater number in the future and I hope I can encourage my peers to vote more effectively in the future.

All incumbents won re-election on Tuesday. Incumbent mayor Jeff Meyers beat challenger Eric Jenkins 56 percent of the vote to 44 percent. The ward II race was decided by a very close margin. Incumbent Neal Sawyer beat challenger Mike Kemmling by just nine votes. In my own ward, ward IV, incumbent Mickey Sandifer beat challenger Dylan McAfee by the largest margin of 61 percent to 39 percent.

What is especially striking about this election, especially the close competition in ward II, is just how much of a difference one vote can make. I am often frustrated by peers who discuss national politics with fierce intensity while they look at me glossy-eyed when I bring up local politics. I would like to hear of any other arena in which one voice can truly be decisive.

I hope to make my voice heard in many more elections to come.

(Visited 29 times, 1 visits today)
Leave a Comment
More to Discover

Comments (0)

Mill Valley News intends for this area to be used to foster healthy, thought-provoking discussion. Comments are expected to adhere to our standards and to be respectful and constructive. As such, we do not permit the use of profanity, foul language, personal attacks, or the use of language that might be interpreted as libelous. Comments are reviewed and must be approved by a moderator to ensure that they meet these standards. Mill Valley News does not allow anonymous comments, and Mill Valley News requires a valid email address. The email address will not be displayed but will be used to confirm your comments.
All Mill Valley News Picks Reader Picks Sort: Newest

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *