The turnout in Madison’s recent municipal elections was shockingly low. Out of more than 46,000 registered voters, only 17% cast a ballot. The winner of the mayor’s race received support from just 10% of the electorate. That’s not a mandate — it’s a symptom of a broken system.
This isn’t apathy. It’s disillusionment. Many residents have stopped voting because they believe City Hall is controlled by a political machine that always gets its way. No matter who runs, the outcome feels predetermined. That belief — reinforced year after year — has driven people out of the process.
Worse, the governance culture in Madison has turned toxic. City leaders have too often treated residents with condescension, hostility, and disrespect. Questions are stonewalled, criticism is silenced, and transparency is nonexistent. People who should be heard are instead intimidated. This isn’t healthy democracy. It’s a warning sign of authoritarian drift…