Exercise your rights
We just had a provincial election this past May, where the residents of Guelph elected Mike Schreiner, making him the first ever Green MPP elected to the Ontario Legislature. This was a huge step forward for both Guelph and the Green Party. I was very excited to vote in that election because finally the Green Party had some push and were strong enough to win Guelph’s vote. I was a part of making history, how exciting!
As exciting as that was for me personally, all I hear about around the city is how students don’t vote. Now we are entering Guelph’s municipal elections. In addition to the race for mayor between the incumbent mayor, Cam Guthrie, and former provincial NDP candidate, Aggie Mlynarz, are the countless candidates for councillors across the wards of Guelph. University students will have the opportunity to vote on Oct. 22 — but I’m wondering whether they will.
I have been browsing the Internet and asking individuals to find out why students do not participate in voting whether it’s federal, provincial, municipal, or even CSA elections.
I think a predominant reason why individuals don’t vote is a lack of education. Do we know the history of politics? The danger of complacency? Do we see the value of democracy? There is also research showing that one of the most significant predictors, when people vote, is whether they have a university or college degree. It’s clear that more time needs to be dedicated to educating students about the basics of how our government functions and why they should vote in high school, but since that didn’t happen, we need to educate ourselves.
Another reason students don’t vote is indifference. As humans, we tend to group ourselves and then make decisions in our collective groups. This can be dangerous if people in the group deter the rest of the group from contributing their own individual opinions and thoughts. As students enter university, the clique mentality that is popular in high school can still have an effect. When a few individuals express a lack of interest, the rest of the group may compromise their views to avoid conflict or looking “stupid.” Encourage yourself and your group of friends to vote!
Finally, it takes work to vote, and we tend to be busy or downright tired at times. If we can avoid unnecessary work or research, we do. It is a question of whether you believe your vote to be necessary. I think if students are not residents of Guelph, that also deters their decision to vote. With the exception of international students and students who will vote in their hometowns instead, your vote does matter to Guelph!
For students who are registered to vote in their hometown, I understand your hesitancy, but I am hoping to convince you to cast your ballot in Guelph. You can be registered to vote in both your hometown and your university town. You can cast a ballot in both locations in certain cases (e.g. if you are a student). I know it is more effort to register and look up both the candidates. But, for however many years you are on this campus and studying in this city, you will most likely take public transit, walk on sidewalks, drive on the roads, need healthcare or social services outside of what the university offers, rent a house or room, and throw out the garbage. Your vote matters to your life here in Guelph! Perhaps even more than at home where you may only return for summer and holidays.
Whether you believe your vote will make a difference or even if you are not 100 per cent knowledgeable about the candidates, exercise your right to vote, either in Guelph or your hometown. Busyness or a lack of interest are poor excuses not to vote. It was something that was a matter of life and death for countless individuals who fought for us younger generations to have this right that many of us take for granted. To continue the legacy of those individuals who fought so relentlessly for freedom, I think we need to respect them by casting a vote.
Whether you are new to Guelph, a new voter, or had a name or address change, you might need to check if you are registered to vote or register vote.
Photo by Alora Griffiths/The Ontarion