How did the Arts fare in the recent Austin City Council elections?

Good question. First, some general analysis of the Austin City Council races:

The number of voters for each of the three races averaged 33,750 total votes per race. According to my estimates, 33,750 votes represent 21% voting penetration. In other words, 21% of Austin’s population just determined the leaders of Austin and our future.

National voting averages for local races hover around 10-15% and Austin has traditionally been a more politically active voting community and the recent Austin City Council voter turnout proves that trend once again. While 21% is impressive to national averages, it is an extremely low number which shows how powerful your vote can be in Austin’s future.

Now for the Arts and their participation. The Arts Alliance Austin Voters Guide for the Arts and each of the candidate’s position received a little more than 6000 views. 6000 interested voters represents 17% of the voting. So, if candidates do not think the Arts play a role in deciding our leaders then they better take notice. And, they have.

Thanks to the Arts Alliance and Austin artists’ political advocacy, every elected Austin City Council member has posted a positive and public platform supporting the arts. Each of participating artists have been instrumental (pun intended) in the past three Austin City Council elections in making sure the Arts are recognized as a political force and the results are proven.

Even with the upcoming runoff between Galindo and Morrison, each have been very supportive in their platforms regarding the Arts. We ask each candidate again to make sure that the Arts are a priority in their platform and their agenda as a future Austin City Councilmember. Lastly, though, make sure you vote in the runoff as your vote does count as these numbers prove. And to Galindo and Morrison, make sure your attention to the Arts continue as we too have proven that our vote counts.

To view the Austin Voters Guide on the Arts, please go to: http://mayrichard.wordpress.com/the-arts-2008-austin-city-council-voters-guide/

And if you have any questions or comments regarding the Arts and politics, please send me an e-mail at Richard@SongwritersSeries.com. Please pass this information along to your artist friends and supporters and congratulations once again on proving the Arts’ value to our city leaders.