Let’s turn up the voter turnout this election

By Ivan Morgan

Not only am I passionate about free speech, I am also passionate about democracy. The people are always right. I have worked for many politicians who thought they knew better, some who weren’t interested in democracy unless the voter saw the world the same way they did and thought people who voted for another candidate were fools, dupes and misguided.
All that may be true – I don’t care – the people are always right. Even when they don’t vote.
Work with me. We here in Newfoundland have a terrible voter turnout, ranking well below other provinces. A third of us, give or take, don’t vote. What does that say about us?
That third pays taxes, but for whatever reason don’t want a say in how their money is spent. Imagine one of them going to a restaurant, being charged for a $100 meal, then telling the waiter they don’t care what, or if, they are served. Most pay a lot more than $100 in taxes.
There are many theories on why people don’t vote, theories on what would happen if they did, but the truth is we don’t know, because they don’t vote.
I really believe we should all vote. Not be forced to vote, like they do in Australia, but want to vote.
What do we say about the third of us who don’t vote? I don’t know any more than the “experts” but I have thoughts.
I know I’m a broken record on this, but this provincial election is freaking me out. I have worked, covered, wrote about, organized, won and lost (mostly lost) elections my entire life. This one has me thrown for a loop.
What really strikes me is the disconnect between the political parties and the rest of us. They have their platforms, agendas, ideologies and goals. The rest of us have reality. I have noticed a few candidates changing their tune a little now they are knocking on doors, but as I said in an earlier column, this election is a nothingburger.
Is this why people don’t vote – despair? Indifference? Have they just given up? I asked a few people who don’t vote why they don’t. Here’s a few answers.
“What does it matter?”
“Are they going to lower my grocery bill? My rent? Make my neighbourhood safer?”
“Other than running up the deficit and selling off our assets at firesale prices what do they do?
As a columnist I have never thought it was appropriate to endorse a party or a candidate. This is the first election in my life where that’s going to be really, really easy.
Its also not smart for columnists to make predictions, but what the hell. I predict the lowest voter turnout in Newfoundland history. I feel voters are, like the famous quote, going to stay away from the polls in droves.
Of course I will vote. I have voted for a candidate I really liked. I have voted for someone because I couldn’t stand their opponent. I have voted for someone because I supported their party. I have voted for someone because they weren’t a member of a party I disliked. This is the first time in my life I don’t give a rat’s… well you know what I mean. I suspect in the sanctity of the ballot box I may just hold my nose and make a choice. Eenie, Meenie, Miny or Moe. Who knows? Not me.
I think low turnout is tragic. If more people voted, would we get better government? Call me a dreamer but I think we would. If you agree with me, take along someone you know who doesn’t vote to the polling station. Why not?
There once was a TV sitcom called Newhart, where comedian Bob Newhart played the owner of a New England country inn. In a scene I never forgot, they were at a town hall meeting arguing some issue. An old grey-haired fellow sat impatiently at the back of the hall. When the time came for questions, his arm shot up. The chair asked him to speak.
He jumped to his feet and yelled, “The country has gone to hell. I vote we secede!”
Pity that’s not on the upcoming ballot.

Ivan Morgan can be reached at ivan.morgan@gmail.com