If you’re not going to vote today, at least plan on voting tomorrow
Students should vote, but they wont. What’s more, they are well aware of these two realities.
The Concordian spoke with a number of students this week. Out of this highly unscientific poll, only one was planning to vote on Sunday. Even he did not realize that he would have had to be registered several weeks ago.
There is no lack of reasons to get involved, all that is missing is initiative.
For the most part, the students we spoke with said it was important for people to get out and vote. Even those who were ineligible, unwilling, or had no grasp of the issues involved in the current election believed that people, students especially, should vote.
This voting intention gap should be troubling. When people become disengaged from municipal politics, politicians find easier opportunities to disengage themselves from the people.
In democracies, old people vote more than younger people. This means that the group who is the least vocal &- seniors &- gets their voice heard loudest at election time. On the other hand, students who are often outspoken generally are most silent when it comes time to cast ballots. The effect of this trend in the bigger picture is that students are denying themselves the opportunity to be heard and taken seriously.
This cycle has to be stopped. There is very little chance that students will vote en masse Nov. 1, most of them probably haven’t registered. But this election does not have to be the end.
When the results have been tallied, students should pay attention.
Students who don’t vote this Sunday, would do well to make it the last time they don’t vote. They should use this missed opportunity as a new beginning.
Eventually, we need to become reengaged in our politics. If lasting change is to occur, it has to start with young people. This generation of young adults needs to become a good example for the next generation and the generation after that.
Streeter
Joe Doglio-Marquardt
Chemistry/Physics
1st Year
Seattle, Washington
Do you plan on voting?
No
Have you ever voted in municipal elections?
Never
What are the important issues in this year’s municipal elections?
I just moved here recently, so I don’t know what the issues are.
Do you think its important for people to vote in municipal elections?
Voting is your only chance to effect the world you live in, you should take advantage of it.
Rachel Mantha
Music Performance
4th Year
Montreal, Quebec
Do you plan on voting?
No, well I’m not sure, but probably no.
Have you ever voted in municipal elections?
I usually vote, but I’m fed up with it.
What are the important issues in this year’s municipal elections?
Scandals… um, yeah, all I ever hear about are the scandals.
Do you think its important for people to vote in municipal elections?
No its not important. If there’s stuff you want to change in the world, you should go out and do it yourself. In this world, it’s a lot easier to take care of things for yourself than wait for some politician to take care of it.
Georgia Campan
Psychology
3rd Year
Romania
Do you plan on voting?
No
Have you ever voted in municipal elections?
I voted in Romania, but never here.
What are the important issues in this year’s municipal elections?
I’m a hardcore political ignorant, I haven’t been keeping up with the issues.
Do you think its important for people to vote in municipal elections?
It’s important if you’re going to make an informed choice. But if you don’t know the issues like me, its not responsible to give a vote to someone just for the sake of voting.
Alex Kamino
Dance
6th Year
Toronto, Ontario
Do you plan on voting?
Absolutely not!
Have you ever voted in municipal elections?
Nope
What are the important issues in this year’s municipal elections?
Are you kidding me? I have no idea. I’m just trying to live my life, those things don’t affect me.
Do you think its important for people to vote in municipal elections?
No. Don’t vote, please. Go have a beer instead, it’ll be a more productive use of your time.
Francesca Cucolo
Studio Art
4th year
Brooklyn, New York
Do you plan on voting?
No, I’m not a citizen so I’m not eligible to vote.
Have you ever voted in municipal elections?
I’ve never voted in any election because I’ve never been eligible. Actually I’m a bit of a slacker because I was too lazy to apply for an absentee ballot in the American elections last year.
What are the important issues in this year’s municipal elections?
I’ve been following a bit, but I’m not really sure. I think one of the focuses is getting rid of all the scandals and debauchery.
Do you think it’s important for people to vote in municipal elections?
If you live here and you’re unhappy with the way things are, you should definitely vote. Voting is the only way to get your voice heard, it’s the only way to change things.
David Kunstatter
Music
5th Year
Winnipeg
Do you plan on voting?
Indeed I do
Have you ever voted in municipal elections?
Yes
What are the important issues in this year’s municipal elections?
I’ve heard about the scandals involving the water meter contract and other things like that. I don’t really trust the current administration, they seem kind of shady, so I’m in favour of change. Also the woman from Vision scares me.
Do you think its important for people to vote in municipal elections?
At the end of the day, municipal politics are the closest to home. If you want to see change happen, you have to start in your own backyard.
