Tomorrow is the provincial election and voter turnout is usually not great, so that begs the question, why should people vote?
Associate professor and chair of the department of political science at Brandon University, Kelly Saunders, has the answer.
“People should vote because it’s one of the absolute most integral things in a democracy and if we want to keep democracies healthy, alive, and vibrant, then we have to make sure we’re fulfilling our responsibilities as citizens. One of the essential responsibilities is exercising our franchise every 3 or 4 years at election time.”
Saunders, says even 10 extra votes can make a difference.
“You don’t have to look very far in Canadian or Manitoba history to see a number of ridings or electoral districts where the spread between the winner and losers was very, very small. Sometimes it’s a matter of 50 votes or even less than that, that determine a winner.”
She adds the number of close races is increasing.
If you don’t like any of the candidates, there are a few options available instead of not voting. Saunders says you can reject the ballet when it’s offered to you, which sends a strong signal, you can also accept the ballot and then cross through the names, write none of the above, or make some kind of indication on the ballot you aren’t pleased with the candidates, without using profanity.
Saunders, says it’s really important for young people to vote.
“And for members of the community to encourage the youth to vote because one of the things we do know from the data is that number one, young people are the least likely to vote. Youth that fall in the category of 18-29, it’s only about 40% of all people in that category actually vote where it’s up to 57-60% in the other age cohorts. But, we also know if you’re less likely to vote as a young person, you’re less likely to vote over the course of your entire life.”
There is a bonus for the candidates from a higher turnout. The higher number of votes a candidate receives, the more money they’ll get reimbursed on their election campaign.
If you aren’t sure where to vote tomorrow, click here.
