Evening star., 1952-08-25
Let's Get Out the Vote
By Robert K. Welsh


Nearby Virginia and Maryland
counties can take Scant consola-
ton from a Senate document
today showing the great gaps be-
tween eligible voters and actual
voters in every State and county
of the United States.
The statistical survey prepared
by L. w. Jeffery for Senator
Brewster, Republican, of Maine,
is available for groups concerned
with the need to stimulate greater
voter activity.
1t discloses wide ranges be-
tween States and between coun-
ties within States in the ratio
of persons of voting age to the
number of persons who cast bal
lots for President in 1948 and for
governors or Senators in 1850.
No Distinction in Records.
Montgomery and Prince Georges
counties in Maryland, and Arling-
ton and Fairfax counties and
Alexandria in Virginia had bet
ter voting performance than some
other counties and cities in their
respective States. But the differ
ences give no distinction to any
one concerned.
Mr.. Jeffery, in an accompany
ing memorandum for national and
local political organizations and
civic groups, made this comment
on the extent of electoral laxity
and what he believes should be
done about it.
"The potentials for better gov
ernment lie dormant in trout
streams. on golf courses and in
bridge clubs"
Senator Brewster, urging civic
and fraternal organizations to
work actively in non-partisan
effort to get out the biggest vote
in history, said: "These organiza-
tions do not need to tell any one
to be a Republican or a Demo-
crat. They only need to urge
everyone to be an American"
Noting that fewer than So per
cent of the potential voters in 1948
actually voted, Senator Brewster
declared:
1.-THE steady decline in the per-
centage of American participation
in voting disturbs all students of
the historical evolution of democ-
racies into relationships. Political
parties and organizations must
share responsibility for failing TO
command the confidence of the
voters. But the average citizen is
the one finally at fault in failing
to perceive the vital necessity of
the two-party system as evolved
in America and in other English
speaking countries around the
globe. The bloc system in Europe
has resulted in the complete par
dIySlS VI SOVcTIlIuelC.
Gives Voting Records.
The booklet, compiled from Of
fetal election records and census
reports. shows that 1888, $50
voted for President in 1948 and
AZ, ,186.435 for Governor or SEN
ator in 1850. The total 1850 po-
tential was 97,416,365.
Virginia had 2.025 1899 residents
of voting age in 1850. About 211,-
300 voted in the congressional
elections that year. The 1948 vote
was 419,256.
Alexandria, with a 1922 po-
tential two years ago. had only
1913 actual voters that year and
8,707 four years ago. In Rich
mond. with 163, 500 of voting age,
only 1890 voted in 1850 and
about $1,000 in 1948.
Arlington County had 81, AIS
residents of voting age in 1850.
The turnout in the 1850 elec-
tions was 16,49l. In 1948 it was
.20,111. Fairfax County, with a
59,470 potential, had 8,874 actual
voters in 1850 and 9,489 in 1948.
Those two counties had larger nu-
merical voting totals than did any
other county. But several others
showed up better in the compar-
ison of potential voters and actual
voters.
Maryland had 1,527,089 resi-
dents of voting age in 1850. but
only 645.631 voted in 1850 and
594. .259 in 1948.
Montgomery County, with q
104.218 potential two years ago,
voted 41,426 in 1850 and 8,407
in 1948. Prince Georges County,
with 118.077 potential voters, had
a7.027 In 1850 and 30.024 in 1948.