Incorporation opponents fear low voter turnout

"Approval of Silverdale incorporation could turn on a single vote, and proponents and opponents alike guess that vote will be in favor of cityhood.Registration numbers are not yet completed, but the most current estimate by the county auditor’s office is that 7,019 voters will be eligible to vote on the cityhood proposal. Only those living within the proposal boundaries can vote.There is no validation issue for the incorporation election. Nor is a supermajority required – regardless of how many or how few voters cast ballots, if one more person votes for incorporation than against, a city will be created. Incorporation opponent Rick Smith said a potential low turnout could only aid the proponents. “I expect a very low voter turnout,” Smith said. “I’m not knowledgeable to predict a percentage, but if it’s a very low voter turnout and most people aren’t too interested one way or another, there is a significant advantage to the proponents because they will get their people out there.”Incorporation proponents from Silverdale 2000 and Citizens for Silverdale are not leaving voter turnout up to chance. “I have no concerns about voter turnout,” said Citizens for Silverdale President Richard Sheak. The two incorporation proponents will join forces on Saturday to canvass the voting geography. Sheak estimates 4,600 Silverdale voters will receive their absentee ballots in the mail tomorrow or Friday, and he’s gunning for 3,000 of those votes.“You never have a 100 percent turnout, but 3,000 should do it,” Sheak said. “I figure Saturday is the best time to get out and talk to people. Most of the people we’ve been talking to are for it.”Sheak said his only concern is that incorporation supporters will see the vote as a potential landslide and not bother to cast their vote. “I hope the apathy doesn’t set in, when they think enough people are going out to vote that they don’t have to,” Sheak said."

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