Busy election year(s)

Massachusetts voters will decide who fills the Senate seat formerly occupied by the late Ted Kennedy January 19. The winner of the special election, be it a congressman or state-wide office holder, will likely vacate another seat which will call for another special election.

Each of these elections will call for primary balloting as well, leaving open the possibility that Massachusetts voters will be called to the voting booth eight times between now and next year’s state balloting in November, 2010.

It is widely known that voter turnout is inversely proportional to the number of elections held – the more elections held, the less likely people are to vote. But each of these races will be critically important opportunities for Massachusetts residents to determine the future course for our state and nation.

Elections where we will likely be asked what kind of government do we want and how should we pay for them. Taxes will be on the table in these elections.

In last year’s election, many of us worked hard to mobilize voters against ballot Question 1, which would have eliminated the state income tax. Turnout among underrepresented populations was strong and the anti-Question 1 vote was impressive, demonstrating the power nonprofits have to boost turnout and voter awareness.

Let’s hope the nonprofit sector remains engaged in voter turnout efforts to ensure that all our Commonwealth’s populations are represented on election day.