by Shep Wilbun
Special to the Tri-State Defender

Shep Wilbun

(Shep Wilbun is a Shelby County Election Commissioner and former Memphis City Councilman, Shelby County Commissioner, and Juvenile Court Clerk.)

On Election Day (Oct. 15), the people of Memphis had an opportunity to choose the direction for our city for the next two years and also set a new course for the foreseeable future.  We held a special election to elect a mayor to fill the unexpired term of Mayor Dr. W. W. Herenton, who retired. For the first time since the historic 1991 election of Dr. Herenton as our first elected African-American mayor, there is a new elected mayor – A C Wharton Jr.     

As the last living creator of the “Peoples’ Convention” (the other two being the late “Teddy” Withers and the late Vernon Ash), which was the consensus process that would slingshot Dr. Herenton to a successful campaign and ultimate victory, no time since has been as critical to our city as this. Many had expressed a desire to see city government become a greater force in the solution of the challenges we face as a community. The opportunity that is always present when we select new leadership provided us with this unique possibility. Yet only 109,339 of the 423,049 eligible voters actually participated in the determination of our new leadership. Sixty percent of the 109,339 chose our next mayor – a clear majority and the closest that we will probably come to a new consensus.

It is noteworthy that on Election Day we had in our city a delegation from Nigeria (led by King Adebeyo), which was here with State Rep. G. A. Hardaway visiting our attractions and seeking economic, trade, and cultural relationships. They wanted to see and indeed witness our election process in action.  

Our Tennessee Secretary of State, the State Coordinator of Elections, the Assistant to the Coordinator, a fellow Election Commissioner, and me all met at the Cummings School polling location to provide the Nigerian delegation with the opportunity they sought.  At 5:45 p.m. on Election Day, there was only one voter who came to the polls.  Only two other voters came during the delegation’s time there.

Most Americans, black and white, often forget that our greatest export is our democracy.  And while the world seeks to copy us, far too many of us neglect to do our part by participating. We here in Memphis could have and should have been the shining example of how American democracy works through free and inclusive elections, but on Thursday, we failed to put our best foot forward. America prides itself on the participation of its citizens in the governing process through our involvement in elections. And while we in Memphis cannot change the participation rates of the entire country, we can change our community’s participation.

The winner of the Oct. 15th election received an impressive 60 percent of the votes cast by the 109,339 eligible voters, which means he was elected by only 16 percent of all Memphians who could have voted.  SIXTEEN PERCENT!!!  

Irrespective of why the  apathy exist, we have to admit that this is shameful and commit to do better.  We must all attack this cancer in our system. It is vital that where we agree with policies and leadership that we vote for them. And, where we disagree with policies and leadership we need to vote against them.  But either way, we need to participate.

Last and perhaps most disturbing, juvenile violence is at an all-time high in Memphis and our youth desperately need to believe in a brighter future and their abilities to make it happen.  Those of us over 18 contribute to their despair, unwittingly, by not showing them how the political process can and should be an option for improving their lives. The hopelessness that many of them already feel is only compounded. When they see we do not believe in the process enough to exercise our right to vote, is it any wonder they, as they grow older, don’t participate either?

Not only is the rest of the world waiting and watching, but so too are our children. Let us make increased voter participation a priority in the next election cycle.