Voter participation in Evergreen election was higher in 2013 than in 2008

Voters line up for ballots in June 18 election.

Elections in Conecuh County - and especially in Evergreen - are always interesting for a number of reasons and the most recent election in the City of Evergreen was no different.

Many of the candidates in the 2013 city elections also took part in the 2008 city elections, so let’s take a close look at both of those elections. Keep in mind that this year’s election was held on June 18, and the last election was held on Aug. 26, 2008.

Interestingly, voter turnout was higher in 2013 than in 2008. In the 2013 election, 1,747 voters cast ballots in the mayoral election compared to 1,554 ballots originally cast in 2008. Before I go any further bear in mind that the numbers I’m using don’t take into account the long lawsuit that followed the 2008 election, a suit in which a number of ballots were cast aside for various reasons. The numbers I’m using are those from the day after the election in 2008.

As far as people who actually went to the polls to vote in the mayor’s race, turnout was almost the same in both elections. In 2008, 1,471 voters physically went to the polls to cast ballots. In the 2013 election, 1,468 voters physically went to the polls to cast a ballot in the mayor’s race.

The biggest difference between the two mayoral elections was in the absentee balloting. Only 83 absentee ballots were cast in the 2008 election, but 279 were cast in the 2013 election. In other words, more than three times the number of absentee ballots were cast in 2013 than in 2008.

Taking a closer look at the absentee ballots, incumbent mayor Larry Fluker received the most absentee ballots in 2008 with a total of 60. Challengers Pete Wolff III got 18 and Gerald Salter got three. In the 2013 election, Wolff, the incumbent this time, got the most absentee ballots with 131. Fluker followed with 123. Challenger Jimmy Taylor got 25, which was more than two candidates combined got in 2008.

When it comes to the city council races in 2008 and 2013, there were also a number of notable differences. In 2008, two of the five city council races went to a runoff election. Only one of the council seats from the most recent election is headed to a runoff.

Incumbent council members also appeared to have faired better in the 2013 election. In 2008, two incumbents didn’t seek re-election. Of the three remaining incumbents, two lost and only one returned to office, Maxine Harris. In 2013, three incumbents were re-elected while only one suffered defeat. Another is involved in a runoff.

In the end, it’ll be interesting to see what the newest slate of city officials, elected incumbents included, will be able to accomplish during their time in office. Like a lot of people, I hope they’re able to work together and foster harmony among all the city’s citizens. It’s often said that people get the government they deserve, and few would doubt that the citizens of Evergreen deserve the best leadership possible.