To me, there is no question. Maybe it was the way I was raised, maybe my instilled values, or maybe part of my character, either way, the answer is simple: You vote.
During election time, every extended family dinner results in a heated debate about campaigning political parties and a predictable speech instilling the importance of a single vote. Perhaps also my outward attitude and frustration with everything wrong in this world compels me to vote, but I believe voting is a privilege and you have absolutely no right to complain about anything if you do not voice your opinion and vote.
History of the Vote
It is important to note that Canada was not always a truly democratic nation. In the early years of Confederation, many politicians used the current economical state to bribe voters with money, food and shelter. Furthermore, priests promised hell and employers threatened unemployment to those who did not vote in a particular way. Women were also denied the right to vote in many provinces until they were recognized as equal to men in the Federal elections beginning in 1918.
Though Canada claimed it was a democratic nation, the corrupt ways of politicians and lack of monitored election processes did not allow the majority of Canadians to have a true say in who would represent their country. Many protest groups emerged in the early 1900s and fought for decades to change the way Canadian voters were recognized. Consequently, because of these “freedom fighters”, every Canadian citizen now has the privilege to vote in fair Canadian elections. Therefore, out of respect for those who fought so hard to give me that privilege, I feel an obligation to vote.
Uninformed Voters
Some people may disagree with me that every citizen should vote because they do not want uninformed people randomly voting without knowing the issues and the consequences of their actions—I completely understand that opinion and agree with it entirely. However, I think when it comes to voting, it should not simply mean rushing to the polls, arbitrarily checking a box, and then rushing home to make dinner. Instead, individuals need to improve their overall voting process. Some may view voting as a one-day event where you select a candidate to represent your views in the House of Commons and hope he or she wins. However, that is simply one step of many in the multifaceted and compelling election process. Before you can vote, you need to make an educated decision, and in order to do that, you must gather information on important issues, political platforms, and analyze the potential impact of each party’s presence on your country if elected. You should not vote until you understand the key issues and feel confident in your decision.
Present Day Voting
Now more than ever, it is exceptionally easy to vote. You can vote at the plethora of polling stations, in advance, over the phone—there is even government-sponsored transportation so people who cannot go to a polling station own their own, now can. Even Canadian citizens not currently in the country can vote. There are no excuses.
So the next time an election is announced, start your voting process right away. Determine the important issues, pay attention to candidate/party views, listen to ad campaigns, read articles in the newspaper and just become informed. Only then will you have all the tools necessary to formulate an educated opinion…and VOTE!
Erin
Source:
Elections Canada. A History of the Vote in Canada. Ottawa, ON: Public Works & Government Services, 1997.
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4 comments:
Hey, Erin,
My comment is specific to your being opposed to those who belive uninformed voters should vote.
While it would be great to have Canadians be more interested in Canadian politics, they just aren't (generally speaking). So to say that the way to fix the problem is just to start reading and watching what's going on in Canada doesn't seem feasibleto me.
I agree that it's easier now than ever, with information being presented in so many media, etc. But an apathetic person is just that: apathetic. I share the same normative view with you, but I think I'm more cynical in that I don't see things changing. Nor do I see a simple solution.
I agree with Roz. While one might remedy one's ignorance of the current state of political affairs by "tuning in" to various media, that requires initiative on the part of the uninformed, and it is this initiative that seems to be lacking. So, it seems to me, the real question is how do we make people feel connected to, and invested in, the democratic process in this country? In particular, how do we make politics relevant to young people? Or, rather, how do we get young people to SEE the link between what happens politically in Canada (and the world for that matter) and their day-to-day lives?
TUITION, TUITION, TUITION.
Talk about tuition and young persons (those in Post secondary schooling, anyway) are all ears.
Maybe politicians can sandwich everything they say with, "I will cut tuition fees. Yadda Yadda Yadda. I will cut tuition fees."
i believe that everyone should have the right to vote but also understand were you are coming from when you say uninformed voters should take more responsibilities when they vote. It is a persons responsibility to understand what a person running for office stands for this way they will be satisfied with who is elected and not complain about how things are being run.One persons vote can alter an outcome and if someone is not willing to take the time to consider who or what they are voting for.
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