Congratulations to Tuesday's victorious candidates throughout our community, state and nation. And congratulations to Tuesday's voters -- especially those in Mount Pleasant, who nearly tripled the turnout of its last municipal election.

OK, so Tuesday's 29 percent Mount Pleasant turnout still could be interpreted as a sign of widespread apathy.

Or is the corresponding 71 percent non-participation rate a reassuring sign of widespread contentment with the town's government?

Regardless, the 29 percent that showed up to elect a new mayor and four new Town Council members (on an at-large basis) in Mount Pleasant was much more than the 11 percent that showed up for its last municipal election on Sept. 19, 2006.

And only 11 percent of eligible voters filled four Charleston City Council seats Tuesday in single-member districts.

The turnout boost vindicates Mount Pleasant Town Council's 2007 decision to shift its municipal elections from September of even-numbered years to November of odd-numbered years. More than 70 municipalities in the state, including Charleston, now follow that timing, recommended by the S.C. Election Commission.

In Mount Pleasant's case, the move required extending the terms of several council members and the mayor for 14 months. The town's voters subsequently showed their approval of that change in an advisory referendum that drew a scant 3 percent turnout.

That makes Tuesday's 29 percent look even bigger.

So congratulations again to Tuesday's winners at all levels of government.

And good luck to them as they struggle to make public ends meet in an era of dwindling tax revenues.

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