So many people I talk to during elections tell me that they don’t know who to vote for because they don’t like anyone on the ballot. They tell me what’s the point because “insert name here” always wins anyway. I ask what issues are they most passionate about and we talk for a long time and in great detail so I suggest that they speak to the candidates and ask what their thoughts are on those subjects! The answer I get 9 times out of 10 is that … “oh I never open the door, they are all just going to lie and tell me what I want to hear so why bother”!
Why bother eh! Did you see the last provincial election in Ontario where “we” elected a SUPER MAJORITY for Doug and his buddies? That was not a win based on favourite leader or party; that was in large part because so few eligible voters went to cast a vote last spring. Yes, you can argue that many other reasons led to the outcome we saw BUT no one can argue that when around 15% of the electorate bring in such a large majority, that a lack of voter interest isn’t an issue that needs to be fixed. That is why we all need to BOTHER to vote!
Another very clear example is the Toronto Municipal Election this past fall. All but one councillor lost his job and the other newbies to council were filling vacant seats. Very few residents went out to vote and those who did were mostly connected to a candidate or went out to vote for a name they recognized. Many people don’t believe a municipal election matters but take a moment and think about what a city controls; local streets, parks, recreation programming, garbage pickup, shelters, transit, police and emergency services, housing and development, the list goes on and on. These are the things that residents use everyday and always have opinions on …. we are told to voice our opinions so perhaps we should voice those opinions with the biggest one voiced on paper at a polling station when we vote.
We need to pay attention to who is on the ballot and spend some time learning what is behind the fancy pamphlets and websites. We need to learn about candidates who do not have big bucks thrown at them by political affiliates and we need to do the research to find those who reflect what we want to see in a city. We need to do our homework! We may not all agree on the perfect candidate but at least if we all vote, there is more of a chance to have a government that reflects the voices we hear around our city. To see a council that shares the concerns and passions of the residents.
Over the coming months I want to share with you how City Hall works, what the issues are, how other cities are solving problems, and in general I want to pass on the knowledge I have gained from being a fly on the wall of Toronto City Politics. I hope to encourage and teach the voters of today and tomorrow to use their voice and passion to lead them to get out and make a difference and make our world a better place, you can do this even if you start in your own community!