It is not just the University that will be on Spring Break during the Spring elections (Mayor, School Board, Alders) . . . it is the Madison Metropolitan School District as well. This is sure to change campaigns, not just in the heart of downtown, but on the periphery of the City as well where many school age children live. Imagine the surprise to one of my colleagues when I informed that person of this on Saturday night at the Council Holiday Party. They had previously been laughing about the University fiasco, when I informed this person about MMSD and this persons laughter quickly turned to concern as they muttered “that effects my district”. Yup.
What does this mean for spring elections? It means driving turnout on election day isn’t going to be the only GOTV (get out the vote) efforts, it means a mass education about absentee ballots. If that doesn’t happen, these elections could have a record low turnout for Madison. That’s not good for anyone. Hopefully, we can get the assistance of the City Clerk, the University, the School District and the local media in educating the public. After all, no matter where you fall on the political spectrum, low voter turn out is bad for democracy, and its bad for our City and its bad for our schools.
