Star: Voter participation appears to be on the rise

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The Arizona Daily Star reported that while Arizona had a record-breaking voter turnout at the primary election in August, the highest in the state’s history, it would be a mistake to assume that this will transfer to increased voter turnout at the upcoming general election.

"We can’t lose sight that when compared to other states, Arizona ranks 43rd in voter participation," wrote Tom Collins, executive director of the Arizona Citizens Clean Elections Commission.

"When eligible voters remove themselves from the electoral process, they are creating an environment where a small plurality of people are making decisions for the whole. They may believe that they aren’t voting, when in essence their absence at the ballot box is a vote," Collins continued.

In fact, Morrison Institute points out in their report, "Arizona's Voter Crisis," that in Arizona, “voters don’t determine elections, non-voters do.” The data indicates a continued need to proactively engage our citizenry as a means of improving participation in elections.

The recent uptick in voter registration and participation is a step in the right direction, but there is still a voter crisis in our state.

READ: Tom Collins: Arizona's non-voters shouldn't determine elections