An Iraq Election Observation

Earlier I noted that many commentators are referring to the "disappointing" turnout in the Iraqi local elections. It was 51%.

I live in Fairfax County, Virginia, one of the most affluent, educated and politically aware counties in the United States. Yesterday, February 3, we held an election for Chairman of the County Commission -- a job not that dissimilar to some of those Iraqis were voting for -- since the previous Chairman won a seat in Congress in November. When I say "not dissimilar," bear in mind that Fairfax County has a population of over a million, more than eight of Iraq's 18 provinces and about tied with a ninth, so the job is an important one, especially in the present economy.

The turnout was 16%.

No one seems to have called it "disappointing," yet, but it was less than a third of the Iraqi turnout. And yes, I voted.