Get out and vote!

Your Two Bits

By Doreen Marion Gee

Voting is the best investment of all in our future. The only real power we have, it should never be squandered. Many people forget that ultimately they are the ones who decide who governs them. The reality and immensity of that incredible democratic power sometimes gets lost in the minds of people who feel impotent, who wrongly assume that they have no say in what happens behind cabinet doors. People collectively have the power to move mountains, change the world and create the future of their choice. En masse, they can topple governments with that magic bullet: the right to vote. At the voting booth, we never have to settle for second best. But if we don't use that democratic privilege, we may have to live with the worst.

May 14 is our provincial election. This is our only real chance to get the BC that we want and the leaders to make it happen. If we feel that provincial government policies are having a destructive impact on our lives, our families, our work and our futures, May 14 is the only chance we have to change that! If we think that the decisions of our politicians are putting our environment, our social safety net, or the well-being of any group at risk, May 14 is the time to say, No, not anymore!.

The Elections BC website (), contains a document entitled, Who Heads to the Polls? Exploring the Demographics of Voters in British Columbi March 2010. Its Executive Summary states, "In 1983, 71% of registered voters turned out at the polls, but since then the turnout rate in B.C. has fallen, and in 2009 only 55% of the 2.9 million registered voters cast a ballot. The study found that eight factors were found to significantly predict voter turnout. It was found that neighbourhoods that were most likely to vote had higher median income, larger proportions of older individuals, and a greater proportion of university educated citizens. Neighbourhoods with lower turnout rates had higher proportions of individuals moving into the neighbourhood from other parts of B.C. or Canada, greater proportions of recent immigrants to Canada, a higher unemployment rate, and a larger fraction of the population not in the workforce and with children at home."

From this analysis, it seems that the people in this province most in need of sound supportive government programs - new residents, immigrants, the unemployed and those with less income, education and opportunities - are the least likely to vote. If the majority of people in need are not voting in politicians who can help them, this significantly decreases the numbers of leaders who can make real positive changes for marginalized people. Social problems like poverty, unemployment, and homelessness increase with less government intervention. Our society becomes a little less just, a little less equal for everyone.

We need larger numbers of people who are poor, elderly, disabled, sick, unemployed and undereducated voting for leaders who will help and support them and give them opportunities for better health, a better income and a better future. This is the only way that we can get strong social programs and a solid safety net in this province. The focus of this election should be on the people who have the most to lose if the wrong people gain power. Every effort should be made to engage people who are marginalized in the upcoming BC election.

When more people vote with vested interests in the perpetuation of wealth and profit, we will get a government that caters to those groups. When more people vote from the lower income brackets with vested interests in social programs, we will elect more leaders who will commit to those programs. This is why we need everyone voting: to level the playing field, so that all groups get the government support they deserve.

You, dear reader, have an immense power on May 14. Please use it and use it wisely!