Why are fewer Canadians voting?

[Cube Inmate]

Put a "none of the above" option on the ballot and actually report the results for that option along with the rest of the results. Give those who feel they don't have a choice a reason to go to the ballot box. Spoiling a ballot isn't satisfying...it's equivalent to throwing a temper tantrum and finding out no one's around to watch.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by Cube Inmate

Put a "none of the above" option on the ballot and actually report the results for that option along with the rest of the results. Give those who feel they don't have a choice a reason to go to the ballot box. Spoiling a ballot isn't satisfying...it's equivalent to throwing a temper tantrum and finding out no one's around to watch.

I can't believe they don't have that option. Do other countries have that?

[Igottago]

Its laziness pure and simple.

If you were really fed up with all your political options, why wouldn't you participate in the one thing that is your fundamental way of sending a message?

I realize that some people just aren't bothered with it...just be honest..don't make up some excuse about how you hate all candidates and all parties and all the broken promises. Because if you were really that offended by it all, you'd participate in it.

Its also kind of a lack of respect. I could never sit at home and watch "so you think you can dance" instead of participating in a process that people have died to ensure exists, and that others in some parts of the world could only dream of.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by HOOT

I can't believe they don't have that option. Do other countries have that?

I think that most people who think that way in Alberta vote for the Greens.

I voted in my riding and was in the minority that didn't vote for the CPC, therefore rendering my ballot useless and without a voice in parliament...alas I digress. My real issue is that people who think that they have "no one deserving" or "no one to vote for who believes what I do" should get involved.

Its not that hard to either (A) Run as a candidate or (B) help someone else run as a candidate. (OK its hard to actually be the candidate, but pretty easy to secure a nomination in most cases!). To me a lot of those types of responses are cop-outs plain and simple.

I do wish that Elections Canada would extend the voting period though. It would be great to have the polls open for a few days to give people more of an opportunity to vote. I recognize that there are some complications (scheduling in the gyms, staffing, etc.) but this is a very important exercise and really the foundation of our society.

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

The Liberal party loses in this province because it can't be bothered to put in the time and effort to build a base. The "rightful ruling party" arrogance does not work out here. Out here, the Liberals have to earn our trust and prove they deserve our vote. They haven't even tried.

That is exactly the case. I had a very difficult time in deciding on who to vote for yesterday. We didn't receive a single pamphlet from any candidate, there were almost no signs and no public forums to attend.

I blame the opposition parties for this, not the CPC. How bad do you really want to be the MP? Why not get out there and actually try to make a dent in the incumbents support? You can bet that next time the CPC isn't going to roll over and let Strathcona stay NDP without a fight!

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by Igottago

Its laziness pure and simple.

If you were really fed up with all your political options, why wouldn't you participate in the one thing that is your fundamental way of sending a message?

I realize that some people just aren't bothered with it...just be honest..don't make up some excuse about how you hate all candidates and all parties and all the broken promises. Because if you were really that offended by it all, you'd participate in it.

Its also kind of a lack of respect. I could never sit at home and watch "so you think you can dance" instead of participating in a process that people have died to ensure exists, and that others in some parts of the world could only dream of.

It's not laziness if you just don't care enough to bother.

Voting isn't the only institution of a free democracy, but it seems to be the only one that people take flack for when they don't exercise it. In a free democracy, we all have a right to run for office, but how many people exercise that right? Is it fair to say that they are lazy if they don't? We also have the right to assemble and protest, yet most people don't exercise those rights... Is that due to laziness or not caring enough to think it's worth it?

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

It's not laziness if you just don't care enough to bother.

Voting isn't the only institution of a free democracy, but it seems to be the only one that people take flack for when they don't exercise it. In a free democracy, we all have a right to run for office, but how many people exercise that right? Is it fair to say that they are lazy if they don't? We also have the right to assemble and protest, yet most people don't exercise those rights... Is that due to laziness or not caring enough to think it's worth it?

I dont think you can compare those at all, One requires 30 mins to 1 hour out of your day, the other requires months of prep work and a lot of money.

I would say it is more lazyness than anything.

[Thor]

I'd rather people who are apathetic and don't care not to vote.

I've never subscribed to lets get everyone to vote ideas, I'd rather those who vote have thought out carefully their choice and are informed enough to care.

[Phanuthier]

Originally Posted by Thor

I'd rather people who are apathetic and don't care not vote.

I've never subscribed to lets get everyone to vote ideas, I'd rather those who vote have thought out carefully their choice and are informed enough to care.

Nice to see I'm not the only one to think that

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

I dont think you can compare those at all, One requires 30 mins to 1 hour out of your day, the other requires months of prep work and a lot of money.

I would say it is more lazyness than anything.

Whether you think he can compare both his point is valid. Not caring is not being lazy. Being lazy would be not voting because it's an inconvenience to get out of the house to go out and vote.

Alot of people just do not give a like me. I've never cared about politics and I doubt I ever will. How this country is being run is fine by me. When it all comes down to it we have the right to choose whether we want to vote or not. I've chosen not to and I have every right to that and shouldnt be looked down upon by others for doing so.

[FanIn80]

Personally, I think the "right to vote" is a very dangerous thing for a lazy, apathetic person to have.

I would much rather them stay at home than have them show up and slap a checkmark beside whichever name their pencil happens to hit. If they can't take the time to educate themselves on what they're voting for, then they should stay at home so they don't skewer the results for everyone else imo.

[firebug]

just like how 'posts go to the goalie', un-cast votes should be considered to go to the winning candidate (of course not used to determine the winner) and should be considered in the per vote allowance granted to each party. IE if NDP wins w/ 25,000 votes in a riding (Lib 12,000; PC 8,000; other 3,500), the uncast 33,000 votes should be considered votes for the NDP for the funding formula.

Spoiled votes would be allowed, but not be included in the funding (no party would get that funding).

I also think this would be fair, in that those who don't vote must be satisfied with the way things are. While in this election the PC only received about 37.6% of the vote, it should considered that they received 63% (37.6*.59 + 41), since only 37% of Canadians actually bothered to vote against them.

Best regards,

Firebug

[jolinar of malkshor]

Originally Posted by Inferno

Whether you think he can compare both his point is valid. Not caring is not being lazy. Being lazy would be not voting because it's an inconvenience to get out of the house to go out and vote.

Alot of people just do not give a like me. I've never cared about politics and I doubt I ever will. How this country is being run is fine by me. When it all comes down to it we have the right to choose whether we want to vote or not. I've chosen not to and I have every right to that and shouldnt be looked down upon by others for doing so.

Not caring is NOT being lazy? Ok. So by your logic. All the bums on the street that just don't care about working, thats not being lazy? People who just don't care about keeping their house cleaned and vacuumed, thats not being lazy? Good way to justify a lazy persons life, just say you don't care and BINGO you are not a lazy person.

[Inferno]

Originally Posted by jolinar of malkshor

Not caring is NOT being lazy? Ok. So by your logic. All the bums on the street that just don't care about working, thats not being lazy? People who just don't care about keeping their house cleaned and vacuumed, thats not being lazy? Good way to justify a lazy persons life, just say you don't care and BINGO you are not a lazy person.

Alot of people people have legit reasons for just not caring to vote. For me it's that the majority of the crap they promise they'll do if they get elected they never come through on. I know alot of people share that opinion and dont vote either. It has nothing to do with being lazy. If I felt like voting was worth it I would do it but I dont. If you want to vote then go right ahead. But dont accuse me of being lazy because that's far from the truth.

[Gozer]

Originally Posted by Inferno

Alot of people people have legit reasons for just not caring to vote. For me it's that the majority of the crap they promise they'll do if they get elected they never come through on. I know alot of people share that opinion and dont vote either. It has nothing to do with being lazy. If I felt like voting was worth it I would do it but I dont. If you want to vote then go right ahead. But dont accuse me of being lazy because that's far from the truth.

That's why I prefer dictatorships, stuff gets done. Stalin never had to worry about consensus or compromise. Plus people didn't publicly advocate voting either. Uppity jerks. /green

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by FanIn80

Personally, I think the "right to vote" is a very dangerous thing for a lazy, apathetic person to have.

I would much rather them stay at home than have them show up and slap a checkmark beside whichever name their pencil happens to hit. If they can't take the time to educate themselves on what they're voting for, then they should stay at home so they don't skewer the results for everyone else imo.

Man...

If everyone truely educated themselves on the process and politics, I doubt that most people would be able to vote for any of the parties in good conscience. I'm also willing to bet that most people who voted didn't really educate themselves and voted simply on ads, promises, whims, and trend waves.

[REDVAN]

I don't want everyone trying to educate themselves on voting and all that.

I am a university educated person. ALL of my (similarly educated) friends voted, and it looks like a significant portion of smarter-seeming people on CP voted. Maybe it's the smart people who are voting?

I don't see a problem with smart people making decisions for dumb people. I don't want dumb people voting. Maybe that's elitist, because I know plenty of smart people who aren't higher educated, but they are still smart, that is the key. It'd be interesting to see voting demographics.

[Traditional_Ale]

Originally Posted by REDVAN

I don't see a problem with smart people making decisions for dumb people. I don't want dumb people voting. Maybe that's elitist, because I know plenty of smart people who aren't higher educated, but they are still smart, that is the key. It'd be interesting to see voting demographics.

I wonder if the Liberals could have won if they campaigned government regulated crack prices and mandatory mini-bars in the rooms at drop-in centres?

[Ford Prefect]

I found some interesting data, albeit in Wikipedia, regarding the drop in the number of votes per party. The Bloc, Liberals, NDP and Conservatives were all down ... only the Greens were up in their total vote count (+276,679) Overall the vote count was down by 984,187 votes. The interesting part is the breakdown by party:
Lliberals ... –849,425
Conservatives ... –168,737
Bloc ... –173,636
NDP ... –72,522

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/40th_Ca...deral_election

If those numbers are accurate, then it was overwhelmingly Liberal voters that stayed home this time around. The inference there being that they couldn't/wouldn't support Dion, but couldn't/wouldn't support anyone else either. As much as I hate to say it, that bodes well for the Liberal party. If they can ever get their act together under a leader like McKenna all those disenchanted Liberal voters would come flocking back to the party the Liberals would likely return to power. Being an anti-Liberal, that sucks. I hope McKenna decides to remain on the sidelines and that Rae becomes the new leader.

[redforever]

[quote=Ford Prefect;1476045]I found some interesting data, albeit in Wikipedia, regarding the drop in the number of votes per party. The Bloc, Liberals, NDP and Conservatives were all down ... only the Greens were up in their total vote count (+276,679) Overall the vote count was down by 984,187 votes. The interesting part is the breakdown by party:
Lliberals ... –849,425
Conservatives ... –168,737
Bloc ... –173,636
NDP ... –72,522

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/40th_Ca...deral_election

If those numbers are accurate, then it was overwhelmingly Liberal voters that stayed home this time around. The inference there being that they couldn't/wouldn't support Dion, but couldn't/wouldn't support anyone else either. As much as I hate to say it, that bodes well for the Liberal party. If they can ever get their act together under a leader like McKenna all those disenchanted Liberal voters would come flocking back to the party the Liberals would likely return to power. Being an anti-Liberal, that sucks. I hope McKenna decides to remain on the sidelines and that Rae becomes the new leader.[/quote]



I think the Liberal party is waiting for the man in the clip below. They might elect another patsy for the interim, until they feel this one is mature enough as a politician, but I see him at the head of the Liberal party within 4 to 8 years.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7opszI-Smc