This town has a serious issue, and no, it is not creak of the old bridge as vehicles edge across it. As I calculated the Town of Athabasca's voter turnout following the election Oct.
This town has a serious issue, and no, it is not creak of the old bridge as vehicles edge across it.
As I calculated the Town of Athabasca's voter turnout following the election Oct. 16, the measly number appeared on my calculator, and I was in disbelief.
Thirty-nine per cent.
While some may say, “Hey, that's not so bad for a municipal election, ” last election's turnout, according to our archives, was 38 per cent.
Despite a dysfunctional, sometimes crude and divided council - that was under review by the province - only 85 more people came out to cast their ballot than last election.
Under ordinary circumstances, in a municipal election where things were running smoothly, every single person that is able to should utilize the great privilege they have to get out and vote.
In circumstances where the town is being managed in an “irregular, improper, or improvident ” manner, according to the municipal inspection report, I would without a doubt expect greater than a one-per-cent increase in voter turnout.
Successful municipalities rely on engaged, informed citizens, and the voter turnout of this election reveals to me the same people as always came out to vote as usual.
There are no excuses (aside from perhaps those with mobility issues, as I heard was the case) for not voting. The town even had two advanced polls, up from the single one in 2013.
We at the newspaper spent countless hours providing election coverage in the weeks leading up to Election Day, featuring each candidate's platform and ideas on key issues. Advance polls and the date of Election Day were advertised in the paper; it was posted on the town's Facebook page, on our Facebook page and announced on the radio.
I am not saying I expect an astronomical voter turnout, but you have to admit that one per cent is a bit of a let down. Calgary experienced the highest voter turnout in 40 years in a tight race where Naheed Nenshi retained his leadership and 58.1 per cent turned out to cast ballots.
All of those keyboard warriors out there who did not come out to vote, I'm not going to sugarcoat it - shame on you. As one teacher at Edwin Parr Composite School told her students while nobly instilling in them the importance of voting: if you do not vote, you have no right to complain.
I wrote this in our editorial a couple editions back, but I will say it again. Many, many citizens of the world have no voting rights. And people have died fighting for the suffrage movement.
It is clear to me that the majority of Athabasca's people do not even realize the great privilege they have of living in a free and democratic country, where you can play a direct role in the management, or mismanagement, of your community.
