After hearing the results for the SAD 52 budget validation referendum (school budget), I was appalled at the lack of turnout at the polls.

According to the latest Maine census, there are 9,499 residents of the three towns (Greene, Leeds, Turner) that are of voting age. An anemic 160 voters cast ballots on the school budget.

With 1,939 students in the district, one would think that, at a minimum, the parents or guardians of students within the district would want to support their schools. But, based on these numbers, that does not appear to be the case.

Additionally, to have fewer than 2 percent of the voting population simply not show up at the polls makes me question what value the residents of these communities place on their right to vote.

Steve Lyons, Greene