It continually surprises me that people do not vote on a regular basis (or at all) in Canada.
Next Tuesday, I will be marking my little check beside one of the candidates to represent me and my neighbours in the Victoria legislature.
Voting is such an important part of our democracy, along with taking a general interest in things, that it should be a mandatory task of citizenship. Yes, I would like to force people to vote in a democracy. Not really, but I think that the idea has some merit.
When the populace feels like their vote doesn't matter or won't change anything, apathy creeps in. The entire post-apocalyptic genre can find its roots in voter apathy and I personally do not want to live in a Handmaid's Tale (sidenote: I am super excited about the new series).
Elections BC muddled around with the electoral district boundaries this year and I am back in a sensible district and I should be able to find my voting place a little more easily, unlike 2013 with the ridiculous split up the highway. Instead of voting at a place close to home, I ended up having to drive twenty minutes completely out of the way.
Minor whining aside, I am looking forward to voting on May 9 and to find out which candidate I am going to vote for.
Every time I vote, I do my research on the candidates and their platforms and I have an idea about who I am going to vote for until I actually end up behind the cardboard booth and I stare at the little piece of paper and start to waffle. I am expecting that this year will be no different.
After the cold sweats within the voting booth and after finally making my decision, I walk out to fumble with the folding instructions as the volunteers patiently explain (again) the instructions about what part to tear off and put in the super secure box. When they explain the first time, I have a hard time paying attention because I am changing my vote in my head every three seconds and worrying about the consequences of my vote.
There is a small part of me that believes that my vote is the only thing keeping us from a fascist state and I have to vote the right way to avoid an impending catastrophe.
Once my vote is in the box, I look up, triumphantly, to the adoring crowds, cheering me on because I voted. In the event that no one is paying attention to my important vote, I quietly accept my "I Voted" sticker and proudly display the sticker on my lapel where it immediately gets stuck in my hair.
To improve voter turnout around the province and within Canada, I think that we should do a couple of things: No. 1 - Give each voter a balloon and a small cheering crowd and, No. 2 - offer snacks. Maybe the cheering crowd could have a few tasteful signs, saying, "Thank you for saving our democracy," or "Your Vote was the best Vote!" Or perhaps, the crowd just places their hands on their hearts and gives you a thoughtful, heartfelt look that you know to mean that what you did was important. Also, cookies would be nice.Maybe, a small juice box. Just an idea.
See you on voting day. Maybe I'll be there cheering you on.
