Vote

There were lots of grumbles when the federal election was officially called, far in advance of the set date of October 19. But now we’re no longer that far away. October is upon us, and the ballot boxes will be open in less than three weeks.

Some found the prospect of a long campaign tedious, boring, challenging or even exciting. It certainly gave the news media something to write about. But now that we’re rounding the final bend, the last month of campaigning and posturing and buzzwords, it’s your turn to work.

Voter turnout has been dismal over the past few elections. A record low 58.8 per cent of eligible voters turned out in 2008. The last three federal elections reflect some of the lowest voter turnout numbers in Canadian history.

There are lots of reasons to feel frustrated and disillusioned with the voting process. For one, there is the constant exposure to the meaningless symbols of each candidate—roadside signs encouraging you to vote for the blue or the red or the orange. There is so much to go through. Newspaper articles and debates and websites dense with reading material about each party platform. There’s the confusion that comes with Canada’s electoral system. Here, we vote for a representative from our riding. And yet, you will hear about strategic voting, about party voting, about proportional representation.

Yes, it’s easy to roll your eyes and go back to what you were doing.

But that doesn’t mean it’s the right thing to do. Whatever your beliefs, Canada’s system of government is democratic, which means that the people who live here choose how this country is run. If you don’t vote, you’re cheating yourself.

Of course, that’s not the whole story. There are many different ways to be involved in a democratic country. From participating in protests to writing letters, there are lots of ways to make the voice of a people heard. But this is the one, fundamental piece.

October 19 is far enough away that you have time to read a little, listen a little, get a handle of the topics being discussed, and the ones you wish were. Talk to people you know. Try some of the online questionnaires that help you determine your political preferences. Make up your mind. You don’t need to tell anyone if you don’t want to.

Make sure you’re registered. If you’re not, make sure you have the right ID. You can find all the information you need at elections.ca.

Then maybe make a party of it. Gather some friends and family, go to the polls together. After you vote, go out for dinner or have a little celebration. Make it a tradition you can carry through to provincial and municipal elections. This doesn’t have to be tedious.

Whatever you do though, don’t decide not to care. Apathy is poison. When the population stops caring, democracy is dead. So feel free to roll your eyes.

I get that. But then vote.

mihal@mihalzada.com