Editorial: There is no excuse for failing to vote

Thursday, Aug. 20, 1998 | 11:07 a.m.

It's a refrain heard often about why tasks don't get done. Usually it's an excuse reserved for chores around the house, such as mowing the lawn or doing the laundry.

But the excuse has a new twist. An increasing number of Americans use it to say why they can't vote. Among those Americans who were registered but did not vote in 1996, one in five said they were either too busy or couldn't take time off from work, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

A similar breakout showing how many Nevadans felt they were too busy to vote in the last election isn't available. But in the past, Nevadans haven't appeared in droves at the polls. With primary elections just around the corner, and because Clark County's primary turnout in 1996 was just 26.9 percent, this would seem to be pretty depressing news. But there may be a silver lining: Early voting could help boost voter turnout.

The beauty of early voting is that it allows people to vote at shopping malls, the Clark County Government Center and other locations before Election Day. And because it is held over a two-week period, from Aug. 15-28, no one can have an excuse not to vote.

Almost 5,000 voters cast their ballots on Saturday and Sunday in Clark County. This is more than seven times as many residents who took part in the initial weekend of early voting for the Sept. 1 primary than did for the 1996 election.

Although one reason for the increase is that many voters didn't get their sample ballots in the mail in 1996 until after the early voting period expired, it's promising to see that Clark County residents are seeking ways to avoid the all-too-common excuse that they don't have the time. Now if we could just find a way to get an early mowing and laundry program in place ...