Despite all of their ballots, Hoquiam residents do not get a choice in today's election of who will run their city. Not a single city seat, including the mayor's race and six council positions, is contested.
Democracies, it seems, are run by those who show up. With Mayor Jack Durney and half the council running unopposed, they will all be confirmed in their seats without much discussion.
Durney acknowledged the city's 12-person council, like other public seats throughout the county, has trouble attracting qualified candidates. Even when trying to fill a vacant seat that doesn't require the rigors of running in a campaign, many people hesitate to get involved with public service.
"We find it very difficult when we have a vacancy on the council," he said, adding, "We (city officials) all make phone calls to people we know."
Grays Harbor election records show just 30 seats out of 112 races countywide on this year's ballot will be contested. The other 82 seats will go unchallenged to those who showed up.
What's more difficult to tally is how the high number of uncontested races may effect community dialogue, citizen engagement, voter choice and general political participation. Do voters get as many chances to voice their concerns? Do candidates have to answer as many tough questions?
County Auditor Vern Spatz said the low number of contested races is disappointing, but normal for the Harbor. He noted that is especially true for an odd-numbered election year that consists of mainly local races.
"It's unfortunate," he said. "(But) it's not abnormal."
Fewer choices
Officials cited a wide variety of reasons why citizens decide not to run for local office. They might have demanding responsibilities at work. They might have family priorities that take up their time such as children's sports or other activities. They might not want to take on the public scrutiny or expense of mounting a campaign.
While the number of contested races always drops in odd numbered years, county archives show this year's percentage of contested races is lower than any other election in the past 10 years.
Just 26.8 percent of the local races are contested this year. Archives show that number usually hovers closer to 30 percent with a recent spike up to 39.2 percent in 2003.
Spatz said voters lose out when the number of contested races drops. They have fewer ideas to consider when candidates don't have to explain their positions or debate policy.
"I think every election should be contested," he said, adding, "You have no choice."
Katie Blinn, co-director of elections with the Secretary of State's office, said one of the greatest losses in uncontested races is the opportunity for candidates to interact with voters.
Without the pressure of a challenger, candidates may not attend as many civic events, meet with the media or take other steps to reach out to their constituents.
"They tend to not engage in that campaign activity," she said.
Most of the unopposed races go to incumbents, she said. Several local city council members, school board officers or fire district commissioners could admit to multiple uncontested terms. Some may go their entire public career without a challenger.
Those people may have established positions on policy, Blinn said, but they would still miss out on important community discussion. Such public debate can produce new policy ideas, highlight citizen priorities and address voter concerns.
Tough decision
Kristine Lowder, chairwoman for the Grays Harbor Republican Party, said they often face difficulty in finding people to run for local offices despite ongoing recruitment and outreach efforts.
"People don't want to go through the rigmarole," she said.
Many people get turned off by the expense or time commitment for what can be a volunteer position with little pay, she said. Some worry the service will take a toll on their other priorities.
Lowder noted the Harbor has many passionate and dedicated public servants, but some choose to apply their efforts to something other than local office.
Attorney Vini Samuel, an active local Democrat, said people may see running for public office as a bigger risk than it used to be, often with little reward.
"I think it's not easy being a politician in this world," she said. "You get picked apart a lot."
While state and federal races draw a wide variety of candidates, she said local races often suffer from either a lack of interest or other factors. She said those races, which set policy and interact with citizens at the closest level, deserve the most participation from the community.
Lowder said voters should be able to choose between multiple candidates to select the representative that best fits their values and ideals.
"Whenever you have a variety of options it's a good thing," she said.
Improving participation
Durney said local officials may have to do more to promote community dialogue in the absence of contested races. They can host town hall meetings, coordinate voter surveys or pursue more innovative ways to bring citizens into the conversation.
Blinn said city officials and community organizations should work year-round to promote public involvement and open debate. More active public institutions will encourage more people to show up.
"It's getting them involved before candidate filing week," she said. "You've got to just get people involved."
Durney said running unopposed can be a relief from a campaign's stress and expense. His time as mayor has exposed him to both the benefits and inconveniences of running for public office, but he said it's not always about arguing or printing signs.
A candidate can use a campaign to inspire. Or even brag a little.
"Because there's no campaign," he said, "I miss the opportunity to thump the tub. ... I miss being challenged."