Fifty per cent
“What would it take to get at least 50% of the voters to get out and vote?” queried a sincere caller last week.
It’s a big question, but there is time to work on that project before the election this fall.
In general terms, voter participation in local elections remains on a downward trajectory. That has always seemed odd to us, recognizing that local matters most. There is little a resident does on a daily basis that isn’t impacted by decisions made by their local municipality.
As if rising property tax bills weren’t enough to generate significant interest, the average voter seems more intent to rail against provincial, federal and international issues – all items, we might add, that are generally out of their control.
For the sake of contrarians, let’s start off recognizing that partial funding and regulations are typically provincial jurisdiction. Some projects involve the federal government as well. But the way the community unfolds and interacts with itself are ultimately choices and attitudes established by local government. The standards of service or chosen enhancements are a direct result of local politicians making decisions to improve quality of life.
Libraries, recreation facilities, childcare options, social housing developments, the road network municipal water and sewage (where applicable) – the effectiveness and cost of these operations are managed locally.
Having observed these elements of everyday life in a professional sense for decades now, quality of life is enhanced by good, purposeful public facilities. Great communities are reflections of quality work and debate at town hall.
An old colleague back in the day would often wryly remark he was off to the “books and junk” committee meeting. At the time that was the Information and Heritage committee that looked after libraries county-wide, plus the Museum and Archives. A fiercer defender of those institutions would be hard to find, but his casual joke reflected a sentiment that exists with some voters. Books and junk, who needs them? Of course, we do – and for a plethora of reasons.
Similarly, other social needs, like housing, access to daycare and senior care are reflections of successive councils encouraging quality service delivery. There is a cost of course to spending more initially, but the investment over time results in facilities that last and a community that is satisfied with the effort.
The roads network is an incredibly important aspect of local government. A good network keeps traffic, both residential and commercial, moving. With input from engineers and direction from staff, it is council that ultimately approves what serves the traveling public. The kitchen tap and flush of the toilet – for folks in town anyway – happens through local government. Rules and regulations abound, but the rates to ensure the system works when needed are all local decisions.
Local is serious and voters should get out. Failing to vote expresses a false sense of satisfaction with the current administration or, at worst, demonstrates a debilitating measure of apathy. Regardless, local elections remain a critical duty for residents we wish more people would execute.
For many terms now, clerks have experimented with telephone and mail ballots hoping to improve turnout by making voting easier. Voting tabulators and all the hype have done little to sway public opinion and see a larger vote emerge.
Watch in the coming weeks for this conversation to continue.