Have your say: Turn out and vote

It says something about the state of city government that even City Council candidates considered administration allies gave barely passing grades when asked to evaluate the performance of Mayor Alan Webber.

In one of the more striking moments of the election season — which ends Tuesday — candidates were asked to assess the mayor’s performance. The mayor’s grades at the Santa Fe Hispanic Chamber of Commerce forums ranged from F- to C. The best marks, the Cs, came from candidates — Geno Zamora in District 1 and Phil Lucero in District 2 — identified more closely with Webber because of common donors and campaign strategists.

Expressing dissatisfaction seemed almost necessary given the reality of the city’s current political atmosphere. Voters have been clear they are disappointed, and in some cases furious, over various perceived failures in the functioning of local government.

How that dissatisfaction is expressed at the ballot box may not make sense no matter who wins or loses Tuesday.

Voters often send mixed messages, with turnout (or lack thereof ) making the difference. One question that will be answered is whether the lack of trust in how the city is managed will spill over into opposition to a high-end excise tax for affordable housing, perhaps the most important item on the ballot this year.

If people believe a city that can’t complete audits as required by law can’t be trusted with any more public dollars, the tax could fail despite the overwhelming need for a secure revenue source to leverage more affordable housing.

Distrust in government can spread from one entity to another. Santa Fe Public Schools is asking for approval of its educational technology note and approval of the public schools improvement tax, both measures to provide necessary revenue to schools. The technology note would continue a property tax of $1.50 per $1,000 of net taxable property value, while the improvement tax keeps in place a $2 per $1,000 tax on net taxable property value. Neither would increase taxes. Santa Fe Community College is asking for approval of a $23 million bond package for its campus; again, this won’t necessitate a property tax increase, but it will mean proper upkeep and refurbishing of college buildings. A seat on the community college’s governing board also is being decided Tuesday.

Races for the Santa Fe Public Schools Board of Education also are on the ballot. Only one race is contested, but it’s important. Incumbent Sarah Boses of District 2 faces two candidates, who both have indicated they’re not averse to banning books. Until this election, Santa Fe has been immune from the national trend to use school board elections as cudgels in the culture war. Let’s keep it that way.

Additionally, voters within Santa Fe’s city limits will decide among a number of proposed changes to the city charter. Reducing the required number of signatures to bring initiatives or referendums to a vote would allow citizens more direct participation in making laws, as well as serve as a check on officials who aren’t listening.

As of Friday, County Clerk Katharine E. Clark’s voter tracker showed a turnout of around 13.3%, with one day of early voting remaining Saturday. In past elections, about 50% of the total vote can show up on the final day of voting.

That could push turnout for the local election to around the 25% Clark has been projecting. One thing for sure: Anyone planning to vote absentee by mail who wants to be counted Tuesday should use drop-off boxes rather than trying to mail a ballot. Make sure to be counted, because local elections are where voters can make the most impact.

Sometimes, they do that by sitting at home or complaining on social media. This year, speak up by voting.