EDITORIAL: Vote informed

On June 13 Ontario will have a new government elect. Watercooler conversations will judge whether it’s the worst or best government the province has ever had. We can’t predict the future, but we know there won’t be a consensus.

Another certainty on June 13 will be the revelation that voter turnout was incredibly low. We can’t predict the future, but you will hear someone say “the people who didn’t vote don’t have the right to complain” at least once before June 14.

With less than a week before the provincial election is final, it seems an obvious time to use this editorial space to convince the apathetic to exercise their democratic right and cast a ballot on June 12.

But that’s not what this editorial space is being used for. The disenfranchised voter isn’t going to be convinced of the importance of this election with one small newspaper editorial.

So instead of encouraging the disenfranchised, let us challenge the engaged. That means challenging ourselves. With nearly a week to go, those of us who will be voting should take the days we have left to dig deep and research every candidate.

Are we just voting for a candidate because of name recognition? Are we sure our partisan neighbours and their signs haven’t pushed us? Do we really know all of the provincial issues and where our preferred candidate stands on them?

Of course not, but it doesn’t hurt to evaluate our thought process one more time.

The voter turnout will almost certainly be low. So for those of us who will be voting, let’s make sure the quality of these votes make up for the lack of quantity.