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More Voices in our Government

Madison has seen an increase in voter turnout in recent elections, and yet the number of individuals willing to serve parties or to serve as candidates for office has not followed suit.

More than 1,100 Madison residents went to the polls and voted for candidates on the Green Party line in 2017, totaling over 29 percent of the total votes cast. This November, many did the same in the state election. Despite the growing numbers at the polls, though, the number of Green Party meeting attendees has not significantly increased (Madison is a very active part of the Shoreline Green Party chapter).

I believe we need to hear more voices in our government, not fewer, therefore, I encourage all local residents to get involved with parties and to run for office.

The Shoreline Greens will hold their first meeting of 2019 at 1 p.m. at the Ivoryton Public Library on Sunday, Jan. 20, and will use that meeting to start considering the 2019 elections and to elect internal party officers. We will also be commencing creation of the Madison Green Town Committee (MGTC).

Everyone is invited; I hope that independent voters will attend that meeting to learn more and that readers who align more with the Democratic or Republican parties will contact town authorities to find out how they can become active, too.

Owen Charles

Madison

Owen Charles chairs the Shoreline Green Party.