Hey, did you hear? There was an election last week. It was Monday, Oct. 24.
Seems a lot of people missed the memo.
Voter turnout for the municipal election was down pretty much across the board.
Barrie’s city clerk reports a 30.45 percent voter turnout.
It has never made sense why municipal elections traditionally get the worst turnout. To me, it would seem to be where the stakes are highest.
You are voting for people you actually know. People you can personally contact. Local politics is where average citizens can have the most impact.
So why so low?
Apathy? Cynicism?
I have a few ideas.
First of all, I know it is NOT because we weren’t given multiple opportunities.
Take Barrie for example.
There were 10 days where you could vote.
You could do it on-line, by phone or in person at many advance polls and, of course, on Election Day itself.
The advance polls were located across the city and in very easily accessible places from city hall, to grocery stores, drug stores and Georgian College.
The times were plenty long enough from morning until well after the average workday.
There were people at the polling stations to assist voters and there were people, working for various candidates, offering free transportation.
So, the necessary information was out there.
There were ample opportunities.
Officials tried to make it super easy.
And that leaves me with two possible scenarios.
Could it be we are just plain politically fatigued?
I think that is a real possibility. It's not even because of Canadian elections. Ours don’t seem too drawn out.
But, being so closely linked to American politics, when that is literally all the media talks about, save a big storm or a mass casualty event, it is exhausting.
It used to be I paid attention every four years to the presidential election. Now, it seems there are midterms. Every state with another vote.
Even if you don’t think you’re paying attention the information is bombarding you.
I know I am sick of hearing about it all.
I am betting all that constant bickering, divisiveness and anger seeps into our own feelings about elections closer to home.
My second thought is that somehow along the way we have just gotten lazy.
Could it be that if we have our Netflix, ESPN Plus, alcohol and snacks that we just simply can’t be bothered?
Is it because so many of us don’t actually work in the city we live in? Do we not feel connected to the community?
Are we just burned out?
Is it because we figure we really have no voice and the leaders will do as they please, anyway?
Have we just surrendered?
I hope not!
Having said all that, I am so grateful to those who did take time to vote and make a difference.
I appreciate every candidate who let their names stand in their communities. The Association of Municipalities of Ontario reports there were 6,306 candidates running for office.
Seeing dozens of campaign signs made me think that people do still care about issues in their city, county, province and country.
We can all start now with a clean slate.
Good luck to us all!
