Friday, November 20, 1998

Inquiring minds ask, Why didn't you vote?

We have a national election every other November, together with either a presidential or a statewide election. Each time one of these cycles comes around, the Abilene Reporter-News encourages people to vote. Each time, fewer and fewer do.

This year, only 32.5 percent of the state's 11.5 million registered voters (or 3,745,925) cast ballots - the worst percentage turnout in more than two decades of gubernatorial races.

It's time to ask the obvious question:

Why? Why don't more people vote?

And we'd like to hear the answer from you, from those of you who didn't vote Nov. 3.

Please drop us a note - not necessarily for publication and, if you prefer to remain anonymous, not even signed - and tell us why you didn't vote this yer. We really would like to know.

Send responses to Not Voting, Abilene Reporter-News, P.O. Box 30, Abilene, TX 79604. Our fax number is (915) 670-5242. E-mail wolfj@abinews.com. Or call NewsLine, 676-2255, and press 2140 to record a message.