Our Picture of Health 1998:
Focusing on Community Health to the Year 2000CHAPTER 10: SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT
CIVIC INVOLVEMENT
84. Voter Turnout
This indicator receives a good ranking because of increased participation due, in part, to the implementation of voting by mail.
Coordinated elections evolved from the Tabor Amendment and consist of multiple jurisdiction elections coordinated by the Mesa County Elections office.
Local elections are decided by about one quarter of potential voters. Early voting grew in popularity, with 34% voting early in 1996.
Figure 10-1: Voter Turnout
Source: Mesa County Board of Elections
85. Participation in Kids Voting
More than 46% of School District #51 school children participated in kids voting in 1997. Participants were from all grades.
86. Satisfaction With Government
Although 69% of 1997 Behavioral Risk Survey respondents said they feel they do have a say in community decisions, about half don't think decisions made by elected officials reflect their values.
Civic involvement was fairly consistent across age groups, but men and those in poverty reported less satisfaction. Almost 40% of respondents say they have attended a public meeting in the past year.
May link to . . .
- Voter Turnout
- Neighborliness
Figure 10-2: Proportion of Respondents Reporting that Decisions Made by Elected Officials Reflect the Values of the Community
Source: Mesa County Risk Behavior Survey, 1997
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