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Resident urges Goose Creek to address low voter turnout
Summary
A Goose Creek resident told council that although the city has grown to more than 50,000 people, only 7,554 voted in the last council election and urged the council to pursue policies and public information campaigns to improve turnout.
David Walker, who gave his address as 329 Water Oak Drive, told the council that low voter participation threatens local democracy and asked leaders to take action.
"Goose Creek now has a population of over 50,000 residents, and our city is growing at a very rapid rate. Yet in our most recent city council election this past November, only 7,554 residents participated in that election. That is roughly 15% of our total population," Walker said. He added that narrowing the count to eligible voters ("approximately 35,000") yields a participation rate of about 20% and pointed to similar trends in the 2022 mayoral election as evidence of persistent low engagement.
Walker urged the council to pursue policies and public information campaigns to increase turnout. Mayor Gregory Abid and other members said they shared concerns and noted youth engagement efforts, including the Mayor's Leadership Council, as a step toward improving civic participation.
