Friday, April 25, 2025

Your Vote Matters—The Privilege of Free Elections Came at a Cost

Many people complain about the state of affairs in our country, city, or province but don’t put their money where their mouth is when it comes time to have our say and elect our leaders

Blogs National

By Andrew Regnerus, Ontario Construction Coordinator

Last Monday my ward in our city voted in a byelection. A 26 percent voter turnout sounds bad; 74 percent of electors ghosting the polls makes it sound worse.

Of the total number of ballots out there, only 10 percent of them elected the winner. That winner is a candidate I know and is, in my opinion, the best candidate. I voted for him, so I am okay with the result, but I am unhappy with the process. Ninety percent of us didn’t choose him.

I know that byelections aren’t very exciting; it is just one local race. People come out in greater numbers for scheduled municipal, provincial, and federal elections.

In Niagara, we have a two-tiered municipal system, so we get to put a mark beside more names than most. But still, only about a third of us voted in the last regular election.

I get a little discouraged at low voter participation. I know the excuses to not vote: the system is broken, all the candidates are terrible, big government costs too much, etc.

My good friend complains about “the government” but hasn’t voted for decades. A while ago, I told him that while he refuses to vote, I will not hear his complaints about government.

Many people complain about the state of affairs in our country, city, or province but don’t put their money where their mouth is when it comes time to have our say and elect our leaders.

Capt. (Ret’d) Andrew Paterson expressed similar sentiments in a recent opinion piece for the Toronto Star. He wrote about those in the Canadian Armed Forces who gave their lives so that Canadians and many around the world could enjoy peace, good government, and the rule of law. The precious cost of preserving democracy is disrespected, he writes, when citizens do not vote.

The privilege of free elections came at a cost. So, vote.

Each winning candidate represents us better with a stronger mandate. So, vote.

When all eligible voters cast a ballot, the rightful representative of the people truly is chosen. So, vote.

Past generations stood up, suffered, and even died for equality at the polls for Canadian women and racial minorities in Canada. So, vote.

Election day is Monday, April 28. Find your assigned polling station, check the hours, make a plan, and show up to vote!

Your Vote Matters—The Privilege of Free Elections Came at a Cost

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