By Tobi Oluwa and Pamela Glason Thornton
Staff Writers
Columbus Post

Turnout for Election 2005 was light as neighborhood polling stations, overrun with voters last year, saw relatively few people on Tuesday.
According to the Franklin County Board of Elections, there was approximately 29 percent voter turnout compared to last year’s turnout of 72 percent.
Although this was a non-presidential election, the committed still turned out to cast their votes.
“It’s my civic duty,” said Chuck Scott as he exited the polls with his wife Maria. “People died for our right to vote and I want to see people elected who share the same values I (live) in my day to day life. I always felt like someone was watching me and I don’t want to be guilty of not voting.”
Mrs. Scott says that she and her husband often vote on opposite sides of the issues.
“If you don’t come out (to vote) someone else is making the decisions for you and as an adult I don’t want anyone making decisions for me,” she said.
City council, school board, judicial and a variety of candidates brought activity to the ballot.
“It’s great that the graduation rate has increased from 49 to 70 percent and Gene (Harris) has done a great job but she can’t do it herself,” said Mr. Scott. “Our kids were a product of Columbus Public Schools and I don’t mind paying a few more bucks to ensure a positive and productive system.”