On the subject of voter apathy; I would like to see a space on the ballot for a non vote.
This would (sort of) become like a party, that other party's could attempt to draw votes from. It would show the existing party's that there are more voters there, but they don't want anyone that is running.
They would realize that there are people there that want to vote but don't like any of the candidates.
There will always be voter apathy and excuses for not voting, but there is no where that voters can say "We don't like any of you", but I still want to vote. I still care, but I don't like you.
It is a slap in the face of democracy that so few people are able to express their views on the political climate, at least where that opinion counts, on the ballot.
When it comes down to numbers, there are only a few people making the decisions on political direction for the whole province, and the country for that matter.
It may in fact be the reason for so much voter apathy. People who find excuses for not voting, may be saying, "I cannot make a difference anyway", "They will do what they want anyway".
Going to the polls and voting is such a vital part of our democracy. It protects our right to have a say in how we are governed.
It would take some courage for politicians to go in this direction. It is somewhat easy to ignore apathy, but it would not be so easy to ignore people voting, "we don't like you", or "we don't trust you".
As a tool for politicians, maybe Angus Reid should run polls with the non vote position as an indicator that people are not apathetic and that they care.
We have seen over and over again in voting, people running away from policies of one party or the other in favour of voting for the other party or not voting at all.
I don't expect anytime soon, to see a politician that would take up this issue, unless there is a large voice from the electorate. Are you up for it?
We need to stop running away from voting or our democracy will disappear.
Robert Clayton
Prince George
