Low voter turnout is a shameful way to lose an election
The school budget in North Brunswick failed for the fourth straight year, and the budget in South Brunswick failed for the first time in three years.

With proposed increases of 4.6 cents and 5.8 cents, respectively, the budgets were lean this year compared to previous years, taking into consideration limited school aid, mandatory state programs and added benefits for students.

So why did these budgets fail, when on the surface they seemed to offer the least amount of added expenses while still providing student services?

Considering only 11 percent of the registered voters in North Brunswick and only 10 percent of the registered voters in South Brunswick came to the polls, the most likely answer is voter apathy.

It is plain and simple that no one wants to give the government more money, especially since the state's system for funding property taxes is so despised. But considering that each town's budget failed by 50 and 80 votes, respectively, it is not like the majority of residents were sending a strong message that they were unhappy with the proposals.

Residents who were overheard on election night cited the elections being held on tax day (April 15) and that the polls were only open for a limited amount of time. Yet if 75 percent, 50 percent, even 25 percent of the people who are able to vote actually do so, then the pill may be easier to swallow.

When Board of Education members, who are volunteers, sacrifice months to create an open, fair budget with the most minimal impact they can, the message sent to them by the very people they represent is that the people don't care. Where are these people during Board of Ed. meetings? Where are the questions about the budget before the vote?

Now, council representatives in each town will have to cut an amount ofmoney fromeach budget that will reduce services and programs from the already tight budgets. That will be a difficult task.

But the real problem here is voter apathy. Residents don't have to support every budget proposed because some are not as clear cut as others, but they must take a stand, and they must do so in greater numbers.

In this country, people shouldn't play Monday-morning quarterback. People have every opportunity to get involved and make a difference.

The sad fact of the matter is, though the wallet or pocketbook might hurt, the real people who lose out are the children.