The Landslide Winner By 63% – The Non-Voter!

Please follow us on X and Telegram

One thing that amazes me about Montana’s recent primary election isn’t necessarily who won or who lost—it’s who never bothered to vote.

Turnout was only about 37%, a number so low it would make a little league coach wonder if he got the game date wrong. We have mail-in voting. You don’t have to saddle a horse, cross a mountain range, or trek through a blizzard. The ballot arrives in your mailbox. Yet nearly two-thirds of eligible voters apparently looked at it and thought, “Somebody else can handle democracy for me.”

And this comes at a time when we’re constantly told the country is at a turning point. People say the stakes have never been higher, but when Election Day arrives, many suddenly become occupied with other pressing matters involving recliners and television remotes.

What makes this especially frustrating is that many issues on the ballot were local and directly affected our communities. These are exactly the races where a few votes can make a real difference.

Need proof? In the SD43 race here in Ravalli County, the margin was only 76 votes. That’s not a landslide. That’s a decent-sized family barbecue.

Imagine not voting and then spending the next four years complaining about the results. That’s a bit like refusing to help row the boat and then criticizing where it ended up.

What troubles me most is that generations of Americans sacrificed greatly to preserve this right. Many served in uniform, and many gave their lives. Their sacrifice makes our modern epidemic of voter apathy difficult to understand.

Our nation and our communities stand at important crossroads, yet too many citizens seem content to let others make the decisions.

I am reminded of the Biblical parable of the ten virgins, where five were prepared, and five were not, when the call finally came. Citizenship requires participation.

To the 37% who voted, thank you. Whether I agreed with your choices or not, you showed up and fulfilled your civic duty.

As for the rest, democracy sent you an invitation. Maybe next time, RSVP.

‘NO AD’ subscription for CDM!  Sign up here and support real investigative journalism and help save the republic!