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Editorial
September 28, 1942
The Cio News
Cumberland, Allegany County, Maryland
What is this article about?
Editorial highlights low primary voter turnout (one-third of eligible voters in 35 states) as a warning to the labor movement, urging mobilization to defeat appeasers and elect win-the-war candidates in November amid WWII.
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A Warning Signal
Only one-third of the voters registered and eligible to vote actually cast their ballots in this year's primaries, according to an unofficial tabulation by the Associated Press of primary voting in 35 States.
Fewer than 15 million voted out of a total of more than 42 million who might have voted.
It is true that millions of voters were away from home, either in the armed forces or working in distant defense plants. But even so, this does not explain the apathy of the many millions more who had no excuse for not voting.
These primary figures are a warning signal for the whole labor movement. If similar apathy and failure to vote continues into the November elections, it will be nothing short of a stab in the back to our democracy and a victory for Hitler.
For there are all too many running for office this fall who at best are lukewarm in their support of our Commander-in-Chief and our war effort, and who at worst are outright appeasers, labor-baiting divisionists and defeatists.
It will take an aroused and enlightened electorate to secure the defeat of such elements and the election of real win-the-war candidates.
It is labor's urgent duty to see that every eligible labor and progressive voter not only registers but actually goes to the polls to vote for those candidates who truly stand for all-out effort for victory.
Only one-third of the voters registered and eligible to vote actually cast their ballots in this year's primaries, according to an unofficial tabulation by the Associated Press of primary voting in 35 States.
Fewer than 15 million voted out of a total of more than 42 million who might have voted.
It is true that millions of voters were away from home, either in the armed forces or working in distant defense plants. But even so, this does not explain the apathy of the many millions more who had no excuse for not voting.
These primary figures are a warning signal for the whole labor movement. If similar apathy and failure to vote continues into the November elections, it will be nothing short of a stab in the back to our democracy and a victory for Hitler.
For there are all too many running for office this fall who at best are lukewarm in their support of our Commander-in-Chief and our war effort, and who at worst are outright appeasers, labor-baiting divisionists and defeatists.
It will take an aroused and enlightened electorate to secure the defeat of such elements and the election of real win-the-war candidates.
It is labor's urgent duty to see that every eligible labor and progressive voter not only registers but actually goes to the polls to vote for those candidates who truly stand for all-out effort for victory.
What sub-type of article is it?
Partisan Politics
Labor
War Or Peace
What keywords are associated?
Voter Apathy
Primary Elections
Labor Movement
War Effort
November Elections
Win The War Candidates
What entities or persons were involved?
Associated Press
Hitler
Commander In Chief
Labor Movement
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Low Voter Turnout In Primaries As Warning For Labor Movement
Stance / Tone
Urgent Call To Action Against Voter Apathy
Key Figures
Associated Press
Hitler
Commander In Chief
Labor Movement
Key Arguments
Only One Third Of Eligible Voters Cast Ballots In Primaries Across 35 States
Fewer Than 15 Million Voted Out Of Over 42 Million Eligible
Voter Apathy Unexplained By Wartime Absences Threatens Democracy
Continued Low Turnout Would Aid Hitler And Defeatists
Many Candidates Are Lukewarm Or Hostile To War Effort
Labor Must Mobilize Voters To Elect Win The War Candidates