Uncontested election results still matter

Dear Editor:

Thank you to the Canton Citizen for thorough election coverage both before and after April 4. I noticed only one thing missing, which is publication of the results of uncontested offices. There were four this year, each important in its own way. These don’t garner much attention, but the voting patterns show voters are paying attention and it can sometimes be evident in the number of blanks. If a candidate is unopposed, that person doesn’t need my vote, but I and others choose to show support (or not) for that unopposed candidate by voting for him/her, adding an inconsequential write-in, or leaving a blank. Full election results can be seen on the town website, including blanks for each office.

I want to call attention to and congratulate the biggest vote getter of 2023, Dr. Julie Goodman running for re-election to the Board of Health. The affirmative vote total of 2,849 was larger than the number of votes cast for any other candidate for any office. The town of Canton is fortunate to have an accomplished scientist who is willing to give her time and talent for the benefit of the town, and it is evident that many agree (more than 70 percent of those who voted). And I did not see a single lawn sign in support of her candidacy.

Christine Smith’s column on April 13 called attention to the low turnout, but mostly lamented her preferred candidate not winning. Perhaps it would be good if more people took an interest in town government, but more votes from disinterested or uninformed citizens would not be helpful. I think that the patterns of voting show that people who do turn out have their opinions about what they want and don’t want.

Allan Keith

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