By Mike Moran

Last month, I wrote in this column that I’ve recently undergone an attitude adjustment concerning the chronic problem of low voter turnout. After years of wailing and desk-pounding over the failure of my friends and neighbors to go to the polls and simply choose their least un-favorite politicians, I’ve achieved a peaceful acceptance of their long-standing disinterest.

What prompted this change in my outlook was last month’s special election in Fall River about the funding of a new Durfee High School. With literally hundreds of millions of tax dollars hanging in the balance, a mere 16.6 percent of eligible city voters cast ballots. But instead of reacting with my usual outrage, particularly over a ballot question that involves so much money, I accepted the outcome as totally legitimate, despite the relatively low number of votes that determined the result.

With so much talk these days about “fake news” being disseminated over various media platforms, I guess the time is right to clearly identify what I’ll call “fake patriotism.”

Sure, we get all teary-eyed and sentimental over the symbols of patriotism. But I’ve always thought of voting as a crystal clear expression of allegiance “to the republic for which it stands,” a familiar phrase where “it” refers to the American flag. In a republic, I’m happy to note, the people elect those who represent them in the halls of power. That republic is the very sacred thing to which you are pledging allegiance when you stand and place your hand over your heart.

However, with few exceptions, we seemed locked in a consistent holding pattern of election cycles that few consider interesting or important.

Since I wrote that column a couple of weeks back, we’ve had a few local town elections that further demonstrate that voters have apparently been overtaken by boredom. So how did these elections fare, as far as turnout is concerned? Unfortunately, the news isn’t good.

Somerset’s turnout last week was 11.3 percent. Yay! The good people there cracked double-figures. Bear in mind too that this should have been an attention-getting event since it featured victories by two write-in candidates. Apparently, it didn’t get everyone’s attention.

Then there’s Swansea. That town’s election produced a 10.7 percent turnout. It was a less than enthusiastic conclusion to a pretty interesting campaign.

Westport’s races featured two vacancies each for the Board of Selectman and School Committee. That ought to fill the polling places, right? Nope. The turnout was 14.4 percent.

Despite all this, I’ll continue to go to the polls when given the opportunity. But I’m resigned to the fact that voting is considered an elite process – one reserved only for those “voting snobs” who think they’re special just because they consider democracy to be “really cool.”

Most people might tell you they don’t like what government does. But most eligible voters don’t vote? So here’s some advice: save your criticism of government if you don’t bother to participate. Judgments made regarding the decisions made by elected leaders belong to those who choose the people entrusted with the responsibility of leading, not those who sit on the sidelines. If you take a pass on the basic responsibility of voting, then your gripes about government ring hollow.

Those who are legally qualified to vote, but choose not to cast ballots, have no standing in the outcome. It’s like complaining that you’ve never won the lottery, but you never bought a ticket.

We voters – the few of us who continue the practice of voting – participate in an admittedly imperfect system. True, we elect our representatives, and sometimes they disappoint us; maybe more frequently than sometimes. Still, voters exercise more power, and in one sense, express more patriotism than those who are given that privilege but choose not to get involved.

So when your heart swells as the American flag passes by at the next parade, ball game, or community event, take a moment to consider the truly patriotic gesture you can make by voting in your community’s election.

If you decide to stay home, that’s okay. We’ll decide for you. From this point on, I’m fine with that.