Tag Archives: voting

VOTE! (A mostly non-partisan message)

I don’t have a big interest in politics, but from the time I’ve been old enough to vote, I have. The way I see it this is a civic duty and also the privilege of living in a democracy. Going back in my blog, I think I mention the message that it’s your duty to vote every election, and I make the message completely non-partisan each time. My party of choice might not win, but if everyone voted, then I would be happy with the result. However, when only a small percentage of people vote, then it can be easy for a loud but fringe group to end up getting a powerful position, and that upsets me.

So leading up to the municipal vote today, I shared the following message on Facebook and Twitter:

This ParentsVoice BC group vying for School Board Trustee positions is disturbing enough to me that I’m breaking my non-partisan voice. My message isn’t to tell you who you should vote for, just not to vote for them. In a society where everyone had to vote, I would not be concerned about them, but they will probably have supporters who are more likely to vote than other candidates have. And when under 40% of the population votes, each fringe vote is worth at least 2.5 votes worth of the entire pool of eligible voters. With many other candidates splitting the other votes and this cohort (3 in my municipality) are each getting votes from every one of their supporters, suddenly this fringe group has a chance at taking 3 out the 4 possible seats in the election.

So my message is that when a fringe group with close-minded ideas has a chance at an election, then it matters to voice concerns against them. It matters that they aren’t the loudest voices in a popularity contest. It matters that everyone votes… Not necessarily for the same candidates as me, just not for them. If enough people do that, they will be a minority, and they will not have the opportunity to influence the majority.

So for those of you in BC, Canada, take a bit of time out of your day today and VOTE!

Vote. It matters!

Today is Election Day in Canada. 🇨🇦

I’ve already written that ‘Voting is a civic duty‘.

Now it is up to you! Every vote matters. It matters not because your one single vote is likely to make a difference. It matters because living in a democracy matters. Freedom matters. The opportunity to vote matters.

…And if it matters, then do your part.

Vote!

Voting is a civic duty

We live in a democratic society. We are given the privilege of being part of the system of rule in our country. We ought to be obligated to fulfill our civic duty.

What should the penalty be for not voting? I believe that people who do not vote should be taxed a min. of $150, or 0.5% of your taxable income, which ever is greater. Proceeds go to supporting the delivery of our next election.

There are many excuses not to vote:

“My vote doesn’t matter.”

“It won’t make a difference.”

“All politicians are corrupt.”

“The person I want to vote for is going to lose anyway.”

“Who cares, nothing changes anyway.”

“I can’t be bothered.”

None of these excuses are better than living in a country where you don’t have the opportunity or choice. None of them make you a better citizen, a more valued member of your community. They are excuses that come from apathetic people.

Do your civic duty and vote!

Here is a website created to help you compare policies and put your vote behind the party and people that most align with your own views:

VoteMate.org