Voter participation has long been viewed as perhaps the most fundamental component of civic engagement. High turnout is essential to ensuring a flourishing and healthy democracy. Over the years, the City of Camden has become associated with low participation rates, an indicator of disengagement from the system.
Camden Voter Participation Trends by Election
Camden Participation in Presidential Elections: 2000-2008
| Total
Ballots Cast |
Total
Registered Voters |
Percent
of Voting Age Population that Voted |
Percent
of Registered Voters that Voted |
|
| 2008 | 24,374 |
46,654 |
49% |
52% |
| 2004 | 18,858 |
37,765 |
38% |
50% |
| 2000 | 16,846 |
36,916 |
34% |
46% |
Camden Participation in Gubernatorial Elections: 2001-2009
| Total
Ballots Cast |
Total
Registered Voters |
Percent
of Voting Age Population that Voted |
Percent
of Registered Voters that Voted |
|
| 2009 | 10,126 |
43,165 |
21% |
24% |
| 2005 | 8,708 |
38,412 |
18% |
23% |
| 2001 | 9,045 |
34,270 |
19% |
26% |
Camden Participation in Mayoral Elections: 1997-2009
| Total
Ballots Cast |
Total
Registered Voters |
Percent
of Voting Age Population that Voted |
Percent
of Registered Voters that Voted |
|
| 2009 | 10,126 |
43,165 |
21% |
24% |
| 2005 | 9,076 |
37,765 |
18% |
24% |
| 2001 | 7,791 |
34,270 |
16% |
23% |
| 1997 | 11,977 |
37,647 |
25% |
32% |
Links to Election Data
Results for the 2009 General Elections
Previous Work
CamConnect Voter Participation Report Downloads
(Report includes data through November 2003)
Introduction and Demographic Analysis, pp. 1-9 (500 kb)
Citywide Election Results and Maps, pp. 10-21 (900 kb)
Ward and District Breakdown, Appendices, pp. 22-32 (100 kb)
Download
the complete report in PDF format (1.5 MB)
City Council District Election: May 8, 2007
Unofficial Results - Updated 5/29/07 - PDF Format
Obtained from Camden County Clerk, Elections Division
Ward 1 map
Dana Burley - 446 (54%)
Vance Bowman - 382 (46%)
Ward 2 map
William Spearman - 536 (57%)
Brian Coleman - 393 (43%)
Ward 3 map
Frank Moran - 499 (69%)
Eulisis Delgado - 224 (31%)
Ward 4 map
Angel Fuentes - 815 (62%)
Carmen Ubarry-Rivera - 503 (38%)
Elections for District Council seats typically have the lowest turnout for any municipal elections. In 2003, there was only one closely contested election, in Ward 1. Turnout was 1,028 voters, or 8.6% of the voting age population in this ward. In 1999, there were two closely contested elections (Ward 1 and Ward 3). Turnout in 1999 was about 11 to 13% of the voting age population in these wards.
In November 2003, CamConnect released a report that detailed voting patterns in the City of Camden from 1997 through 2003. CamConnect obtained election returns from the Camden City Clerk and Camden County Clerk by ward and district for each election in this time period. These results were mapped and summarized in table form. In addition to the data analysis, CamConnect held a citizen forum to review and discuss the findings. These findings included:
- Age appears to be a primary indicator of voting tendencies. For instance, residents in the neighborhood of Parkside, which has a relatively large population of people over 50, voted at a higher rate than did residents of East Camden and Cramer Hill, which have lower median ages. The pattern in Camden follows statewide and national tendencies.
- Although the rate of voter participation in Camden City is much lower than surrounding communities, the rate of voter registration is not. This suggests that efforts to improve voter turnout in Camden must focus on education and getting citizens to the polls, not just on registration drives.
Source: Camden County Clerk