Who do you like more, local politicians or local reporters?

Were you satisfied with the outcome of your local election yesterday?
Were you satisfied with the coverage of your local election yesterday?

It was a chaotic day for sure. Mose of us here at The News-Herald went out to the polls and got some crowd reaction. I went to Trenton, where a huge mayoral election was going on. There were campaigners everywhere, mostly for the same candidate. I talked to some of them and they were adamant about their candidate winning, and she did.

(For a full list of the election results Downriver, click here).
In my hometown there was a huge election, too. I went to vote just before the polls closed. (Luckily everyone I voted for won!)

Then I came back to wait around for the results to come in. I found out via Facebook (of course, social media triumphs all) who won in Trenton. I didn't have the numbers but I knew it was by a landslide that former City Clerk Kyle Stack won.

All of the reporters were trying to get results and post them as quick as we got them. People were asking via email and Facebook for specific results. Some cities had such close races, they didn't come in until close to midnight. Gibraltar's Mayor won by nine votes. Close one if you ask me.

Despite the nagging from people for results, I was so happy to see people so interested in local politics. It made our rushing around and bugging the city clerks' so much more worth it!

It's an amazing feeling for a journalist to feel like what she (or he) is working on is something that is anticipated. It's great to know people were coming to us for the election results because they knew we would have them available as soon as possible.

The most relieving thing is that it's over. The drama of residents constantly bickering about who should be elected is over for now. There will never be a way to make everyone happy, but hey, remember that you and your community had the opportunity to make it the best it can be - and hopefully you did!

Being educated on candidates is important as is voting for them. There's a story out of Montague (western Michigan) in which a candidate who is deceased received the most votes. Really, residents? How do you not know he is dead? I blame the media for that, too. If we had an elected official die before the election, the coverage would have been immense. But still, with social media taking over the world the fact that the man is dead and still won the race shocks me. And the poor opponent, it must really suck to get the least amount of votes but still have to take office knowing residents would rather have a dead man in office.

For once, I'm giving you the opportunity to vent. HOWEVER, if you didn't vote then please don't comment. If you are unhappy with your elected officials, spill your heart. Ready...set...let's hear it! Are you happy or angry about the outcome? Pleased or disappointed in the news coverage of the election?

And remember this: "Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote," - George Jean Nathan