Salt River Project is the Valley’s largest supplier of water and electricity.
But only a fraction of the utility’s customers will vote in upcoming elections for its board members, who help set rates and policy.
In a year when voter participation has been front and center in the news, voting for SRP board members remains low.
Only 60% of SRP customers are eligible, and only a fraction of them will cast ballots.
SRP board member Randy Miller says that turnout is low because the polling is not widely publicized, and you have to request a ballot.
“There are 14,000 people that have requested their ballots, and have received their early ballots and there are 1.1 million retail rate payers in SRP territory,” Miller said.
Election rules go back to the Valley’s agricultural roots, Miller said, and to this day voters who own 50 acres get 50 votes. Voters who own a half-acre get half a vote.
Miller says there are a couple of important reasons for the low turnout.
“'Cause nobody tells voters that they can vote and the voters have to request a ballot before they’re even sent a ballot in the mail,” he said.
Other voters don't realize that there are two boards, one that oversees power and one that oversees water, and therefore two ballots for voters to fill out.
Drop boxes and in-person voting are still an option for those who want to cast their ballot. The final day of voting is April 5.
