Interesting survey out today of Massachusetts residents, broken down by county, with the question: Do you know the name of your sheriff? State-wide, only about 20 percent said yes. In Barnstable County, about 18 percent. I believe it was the Massachusetts ACLU that commissioned the survey, hoping to build visibility and awareness for this important public position.
Here's how to see it: The 18 percent is from a survey of the entire population. Unfortunately only a small percentage vote. The 61 percent were of those who voted, and among them are plenty of people who vote a straight party ticket, or for the incumbent, even if they don't really know candidates for a number of the positions "down ticket." So I think that combination explains it. Come to think of it, I'm not even sure Sheriff Cummings had an opponent in the last election.
Interesting survey out today of Massachusetts residents, broken down by county, with the question: Do you know the name of your sheriff? State-wide, only about 20 percent said yes. In Barnstable County, about 18 percent. I believe it was the Massachusetts ACLU that commissioned the survey, hoping to build visibility and awareness for this important public position.
18 percent know their sheriff in Barnstable yet 61% voted for Cummings last election. Those numbers don't add up.
Here's how to see it: The 18 percent is from a survey of the entire population. Unfortunately only a small percentage vote. The 61 percent were of those who voted, and among them are plenty of people who vote a straight party ticket, or for the incumbent, even if they don't really know candidates for a number of the positions "down ticket." So I think that combination explains it. Come to think of it, I'm not even sure Sheriff Cummings had an opponent in the last election.
Thanks Seth for an excellent explanation of this embarrassment to Barnstable.
Thank you for all this much needed information.