https://www.austinchronicle.com/daily/news/2008-06-02/629993/

Early Voting Begins Today

By Lee Nichols, June 2, 2008, 12:01am, Newsdesk

Early voting for the June 14 city council run-off between Cid Galindo and Laura Morrison begins today and runs through June 10. Click here for a list of early voting locations.

And please, please, please: GO VOTE! What happened to all that wild enthusiasm that jammed the polls for the Clinton/Obama primary? Granted, Morrison is not Clinton and Galindo is no Obama, but what happens in local politics arguably will have an even greater effect on your life than most decisions emanating from the White House. Are you sick of urban sprawl? Are you worried that yuppie newcomers are driving up your property taxes? Do you think rail is a boondoggle? How do you feel about Austin crime? Garbage collection? Traffic? Whatever your position, this is where you make your voice heard on those serious issues.

Or not. While 227,493 Travis County voters showed up for that May primary, only 35,830 Austinites returned to select their city council last month. That's a pathetic 8.45% turnout. History indicates the run-off turnout will be even lower. In a city of about three-quarters of a million people, it's shameful that only 10,000 or 20,000 may decide who gets to lead us. Go study up on the candidates and participate in your democracy!