Blog
March 2nd 2010
Celebrating the Vote
There are a few things I’m truly passionate about. Words. Coffee. Big, ridiculous dreams. And, rounding out the list, is politics.
I’m one of those nerds who adore political theory, takes joy in bickering about party politics loudly with large hand motions and reads any newspaper or blog that covers conventions to public spats.
You’d think with that much political pomp and circumstance, I’d overdose on policy, speeches and spin. And yet one of the most exciting parts of the democratic system, in my opinion, is an election.
Once, just before voting in a federal election, I likened the experience to Christmas. I get the same anticipation waiting, watching and getting into the election spirit as I do trying shopping, baking and trying to fall asleep knowing the stockings are hung and the tree is decorated.
Living in the provincial Concordia riding, I had the opportunity to vote in the by-election held to fill the seat left vacant when Premier Doer stepped down from provincial politics and walked into his role in Washington D.C.
With candidates running from all the major parties – Progressive Conservative, New Democratic Party, Green and Liberal – the cast of characters was one that should have made for an intense battle of ideologies and perspectives. The reality, however, was anything but.
As aforementioned, the Concordia riding has been an NDP stronghold for upwards of 23 years. Even with campaign pamphlets, phone calls and door to door canvassing there was no sense of suspense of who would win the seat come March 2. It was more like a predictable type of holiday, such as Thanksgiving, rather than Christmas. You’re certain that Thanksgiving will bear be turkey, cranberry sauce and stuffing whereas with Christmas you never know what you’re going to find under the tree.
That said, I still voted. Scratch that.
I still enthusiastically voted.
While it wasn’t as flashy as a major federal or provincial election, being able to exercise my democratic right to participate in electing the official representing me is something I take seriously—even when I’m fairly certain the outcome can be predicted.
Political apathy is a problem that we, as Canada’s youth, can’t afford to shrug off. Personally, I refuse to wake up 20 years from now in a political situation that I had no hand in creating. Even if my vote doesn’t elect a government that I support, I know that I had my say and that I have a right to criticize and question. That fundamental right is one that others around the world would kill or die for and in fact have en masse.
For me, that’s the importance of celebrating every chance to vote – whether it’s like Christmas or Thanksgiving.
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