Election day is tomorrow and if advance polls are a measure, voter turnout could break a decline over the three previous elections.
A total of 1,258 people cast pre-election day ballots, an historic high for City of Powell River. Whether that reflects voting in advance is becoming more popular or translates into higher voter turnout tomorrow remains to be seen.
We hope it's both. It should be both.
Perhaps by explaining why we vote, rather than why non-voters should, some of them will join us.
We’re voting because this is the most compelling City of Powell River election since Dave Formosa defeated Stewart Alsgard in the 2011 mayoral race. With three candidates for mayor, including Formosa, Glenn Holstine and Ron Woznow, it’s a race.
Seats on city council are also open with 13 candidates competing for six chairs.
We vote because it’s full of spirited discourse in coffeeshops, places of work and around dinner tables. We vote because it’s serious for people who are serious about the value of community and the future.
We vote to stay the course or because it’s a time for a change. We vote out of pride and the emotional sensation that comes when we enter the polling station for our duty of filling out a secret ballot, and leave with a smile on our face.
We vote for the excitement of election night results and all the talk that follows.
We’re not going to bemoan low voter turnout or the tiresome excuse from people who don’t vote because they don’t know the issues.
If non-voters were offered more information, maybe more would join the voting ranks. Why aren’t community stakeholders hosting more events for people to meet candidates? The calendar should be filled with chances for residents to ask questions and make informed decisions.
But somehow the point that continues to be made is that the real problem lies with non-voters. If we can’t convince them, we won’t accuse them for not voting nor deny them the right to criticize decisions made by council.
Everyone is entitled to an opinion in a democracy, whether they cast a ballot or not. They are our neighbours. We care what they think. But we’d love for them to join the party because they’re missing out on being a real part of Powell River.
Here’s hoping we’ll see the non-voters in line at the polls in four years from now, if not tomorrow.
