Thanks to Bernice’s reporter instincts the
mystery between the 37700 eligible voters and the 22555 registered voter figures
has been cleared.
She discovered that according to the 2010
census figures Plainfield’s population was 49,808 with 25.6 percent under 18. Simple
math reveals that Plainfield’s eligible population to vote amounts to the about
the 37000 figure.
If only 22555 registered; only 60% of those
who could have voted would have been able to cast a ballot. Although about 69% of those
registered did vote but that represents only about 41% of those that could took advantage of
their rights as a citizen. A sad commentary.
These revised numbers should affect the
number of signatures needed for a recall petition. 25% of those who voted would
about 3800 signatures a workable but difficult number. 10% of those registered
would be about 2250 voters. I believe that this is a number that would make the
recall option vote a valuable tool for the people.
Think about it.
The census includes citizens and non-citizens, so not everyone 18 or older is eligible to even register to vote. Even so, and given the quality of our elected officials, the recall threshold should be about 2 voters.
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