What do ice cream, a new pair of shoes and Thunder Bay’s municipal election have in common? It’s always nice to have a choice, whether you’re talking flavors, shoe sizes or in our case, 50 candidates for city council.
For about 40 per cent of voters in this city there is a municipal election coming up in a few weeks. Democracy is breaking out in Thunder Bay and some citizens are facing a number of difficult choices. Others will choose to avoid the whole thing altogether by not voting at all.
In fact, the number of voters who don’t is growing in municipal, provincial and federal elections. In our last election here in Thunder Bay we boasted a record low voter turnout of 38.2 per cent. This is alarming for some. For me, I’m not so sure what it means.
It’s hard to say why people are staying away from the polls but having coffee in any local doughnut shop will provide you with a few good reasons. I’ve heard a few myself.
I think the one used most is, “What difference does it make, they’re all a bunch of idiots anyway.”
I sometimes watch city council meetings on the community channel and I have to say, “If the shoe fits, wear it.” However, that statement seems a little unfair and I can think of at least two councillors who impress me with their intelligent questions and comments. You know who you are.
But if the slate of candidates has nothing to offer, you either have to hold your nose and vote for the best of a bad lot or look for a more agreeable option. Sometimes, this is the choice voters are faced with. So they just stay home and nobody cares what they think.
The voters who chose to take their grumbling to the polling station have limited options. Some disgruntled citizens chose to spoil their ballot. This bit of mischief isn’t included in the official tally but all ruined ballots are counted and recorded. Many are unintentional errors.
It’s a very lukewarm form of protest.
There is another way to demonstrate indifference that very few disenchanted voters choose. Many are not even aware of this option. There is a process that allows you to decline your ballot on election day. It goes like this.
You show up at the polling booth on election day and identify yourself as a prospective voter. When you receive your ballot from the district deputy returning officer you simply return it and inform the officer that you wish to decline your ballot.
Your name is crossed off the voters list and your ballot is recorded in a separate category which is published with the rest of the results.
Declined ballots send a message different from spoiled ballots. They tell the candidates that not voting for any of them is your best option. They let the candidates know that their views or their past performance are being questioned. It’s the “none of the above” option.
Also, and this is important to some democratic scholars, it allows you to thumb your nose at anything you like without causing too much trouble. What could be more Canadian?
In 1990 about 20,000 voters declined their ballots in the Ontario election. That’s not very many (.5 per cent) but imagine if all the stay-at-homers decided to go to the polls to decline instead. We could start whole a new political movement.
At last, indifference and apathy would have a strong voice in Canadian politics. It’s perfect for those who care enough not to vote.
This right to decline is available to voters during provincial elections in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario only. I checked with the local election office. If you feel the need you can decline your ballot in the next municipal election in Thunder Bay.
Mind you, there is a pretty extensive slate of candidates this time around. You would think there should be something there for everybody. We’ve got a mayor and an ex-mayor on the ballot. Who can refuse that? Good luck to everybody.
For the rest of you, get out there and vote or at least decline. If you care enough to be apathetic you really should express that view officially.
The thing about democracy is, you don’t have to participate if you don’t feel like it. What’s more, you can choose not to participate any way you want.
For about 40 per cent of voters in this city there is a municipal election coming up in a few weeks. Democracy is breaking out in Thunder Bay and some citizens are facing a number of difficult choices. Others will choose to avoid the whole thing altogether by not voting at all.
In fact, the number of voters who don’t is growing in municipal, provincial and federal elections. In our last election here in Thunder Bay we boasted a record low voter turnout of 38.2 per cent. This is alarming for some. For me, I’m not so sure what it means.
It’s hard to say why people are staying away from the polls but having coffee in any local doughnut shop will provide you with a few good reasons. I’ve heard a few myself.
I think the one used most is, “What difference does it make, they’re all a bunch of idiots anyway.”
I sometimes watch city council meetings on the community channel and I have to say, “If the shoe fits, wear it.” However, that statement seems a little unfair and I can think of at least two councillors who impress me with their intelligent questions and comments. You know who you are.
But if the slate of candidates has nothing to offer, you either have to hold your nose and vote for the best of a bad lot or look for a more agreeable option. Sometimes, this is the choice voters are faced with. So they just stay home and nobody cares what they think.
The voters who chose to take their grumbling to the polling station have limited options. Some disgruntled citizens chose to spoil their ballot. This bit of mischief isn’t included in the official tally but all ruined ballots are counted and recorded. Many are unintentional errors.
It’s a very lukewarm form of protest.
There is another way to demonstrate indifference that very few disenchanted voters choose. Many are not even aware of this option. There is a process that allows you to decline your ballot on election day. It goes like this.
You show up at the polling booth on election day and identify yourself as a prospective voter. When you receive your ballot from the district deputy returning officer you simply return it and inform the officer that you wish to decline your ballot.
Your name is crossed off the voters list and your ballot is recorded in a separate category which is published with the rest of the results.
Declined ballots send a message different from spoiled ballots. They tell the candidates that not voting for any of them is your best option. They let the candidates know that their views or their past performance are being questioned. It’s the “none of the above” option.
Also, and this is important to some democratic scholars, it allows you to thumb your nose at anything you like without causing too much trouble. What could be more Canadian?
In 1990 about 20,000 voters declined their ballots in the Ontario election. That’s not very many (.5 per cent) but imagine if all the stay-at-homers decided to go to the polls to decline instead. We could start whole a new political movement.
At last, indifference and apathy would have a strong voice in Canadian politics. It’s perfect for those who care enough not to vote.
This right to decline is available to voters during provincial elections in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario only. I checked with the local election office. If you feel the need you can decline your ballot in the next municipal election in Thunder Bay.
Mind you, there is a pretty extensive slate of candidates this time around. You would think there should be something there for everybody. We’ve got a mayor and an ex-mayor on the ballot. Who can refuse that? Good luck to everybody.
For the rest of you, get out there and vote or at least decline. If you care enough to be apathetic you really should express that view officially.
The thing about democracy is, you don’t have to participate if you don’t feel like it. What’s more, you can choose not to participate any way you want.
