Don't want to vote? Do it anyway, it's your duty
When I was a kid, I was obsessed with the idea of voting. I was so mad that I couldn’t and would argue with countless adults about why kids should be able to vote too.
I thought everyone I knew would be so excited to turn 18 and have the right to vote, but instead most people I knew were apathetic about voting.
By the time the polls closed out west, the election had been pretty much decided in the East. They figured that their one measly vote couldn’t make a difference.
They’re not the only ones who feel that way. Voter turnout for electors aged 18-24 is shockingly low. In the 2006 general election, only 44 per cent bothered voting. In 2004, it was even lower at a dismal 37 per cent.
Turnout isn’t decreasing because voters are opting out of the system, it’s going down because new voters aren’t even bothering to opt in.
This isn’t going to be one of those lectures about why it’s so important to exercise your right to democracy and shape your country’s destiny, etc.
This is me telling you to get off your lazy asses and go do your civic duty. It’s not hard to vote, Elections Canada bends over backwards to make it easy on you. You’re also legally allowed time off work to go vote.
I don’t care if you have no interest in politics. Go in and spoil your ballot.
Want to vote but have no clue about any of the parties? That’s easily solved. Check out our Toronto Centre election guide on page 7 for the scoop on the candidates.
If you don’t live in this riding, other websites can point you in the right direction. The Elections Canada website is a good starting point (www.elections.ca) so is Apathy is Boring, a non-partisan organization dedicated to getting out the youth vote (www.apathyisboring.com).
Comments
Anonymous, about 1 month ago said:
Not voting is a legitimate choice. Due to the setup of Canada's electoral system (first past the post) one can easily argue that our voting system doesn't count all votes equally. Not voting can be considered a protest against a legitimate concern regarding our electoral system while a spoiled ballot only sends the message of dissatisfaction with candidates.
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Anonymous, about 1 month ago said:
It is getting old hearing the same propaganda regarding voting. Only the naive, or politicians employ catch phrases challenging ones patriotism. Using democracy for leverage is an insult considering the choices. Voter's need someone to vote for that will represent their interests instead of having to choose an abuser with self-serving interests. Democracy cannot compete with Capitalism if the leadership is corrupt/corruptible. It cannot compete with the efficiencies that totalitarian governments have in the decision making and implementing of policies instantly. Communist governments are now using a Capitalist model in regards to their economies and in some cases with incredible gains. To even entertain the thought of voting or not voting for the sociopaths and psychopaths in government is a form of acceptance of their incredible incompetence or blatant disregard and traitorous abuse of their position. It is tempting to go out and vote against Harper I admit, but it is not good enough to vote against something. As a Canadian I am sick of casting a spoiler vote...I want someone to vote for for a change. Please consider writing a piece that challenges the correct people to do their part ... our electoral choices.
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Anonymous, about 1 month ago said:
An archaic and outdated electoral system, as unfair as it is, is still not an excuse for not voting. In fact that's maybe the lamest excuse I've ever heard.
The point of democracy is that the outcome isn't decided. Your riding isn't just magically gifted to a paticular party, it swings that way because those people bother to vote. The only way to stop that from happening is by voting for what you believe. It's the only way to change things, and it's the whole point of democracy.
You can't just complain. You have to do something about it. The best way is to add your voice to the many others who take the time to express their opinion, no matter what the polls are at.
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