10 More Reasons to Appreciate the Right to Vote

by Apathy is Boring Intern Patrick Burhkard — July 19, 2007

1.    We Have a Set of Sweet Electoral Laws in Place:   No messing around here.  These enable you to be able to vote even if you are out of the province, the country, or even possibly in space (“technology” can make anything happen these days).  These laws also set out your given rights and make it really simple, easy and effortless to understand your rights and cast that ballot.

2.    You Can Vote From Jail: In Canada, even if you are convicted of a serious crime, you are still able and eligible to vote.  This means from prison of course, no get out of jail cards here.  Doesn’t seem so special does it?  Well, in the US, which has one of the largest prison systems in the world, if you are convicted of a felony, you lose the right to vote….FOR LIFE.  So much for “serving your debt to society”.

3.    It is a privilege not a birthright:  Whoever put us on this planet never stipulated that we would be entitled to vote.  That’s right, there is no voting in nature (don’t tell the monkeys though, they’ll get pissed).  Pick up any history book and see what people endured throughout history.  Words like Tyranny, Oppression, Violence, Torture, and Slavery all come to mind here.  While Democracy may not always be the paradise it is often made out to be, the fact that our government is elected means something.

4.    People Fought to Get You the Vote:  In Canada, the right to vote for all took many  many years.  If you were a person of colour the situation was even worse than it was for average Canadians.  Looking at Canada’s election history one sees how racist early leaders (and everyone else) actually were!  The same goes for women, who were marginalized for centuries.  Check out the section on the history of the vote for where to find out more…

5.    We DON’T Use Stupid Electronic Voting Machines:  Canada uses a Voter List – this means a paper record of all those who are entitled to vote (well it is electronic as well, but there is a paper list somewhere, I swear!).  Hear of all the problems these new fangled voting machines are causing in the States – fraud, tampering, vote-rigging, missed votes, counting errors, Bush getting elected  - well we have none of that nonsense.  Our system is easy and fraud free – so put your confidence in the electoral system.

6.    Elections Cost a Ton of Money to Hold:  According to the Canadian Government, the 2000 federal election cost $200.6 million dollars.  These are tax-payer dollars well spent, which means your money.  So you might as well vote, cause whether you do or not, you are helping pay for them!

7.    You Are Entitled to Take Time Off Work to Vote:  Everyone knows working sucks (well unless you are working for Apathy Is Boring that is –Woo-Ha) – most voting acts entitle you to 4 uninterrupted hours to vote during poll hours.  This means time off work to vote – so take advantage people.

8.    Voting is Sexy:  Let’s face it, voting is hot.  Being politically conscious and knowledgeable about politics is a great way to meet members of the opposite or same sex, whatever you are into.  Who wants to date someone who often asks the question, “Who is our president these days?”.  Knowledge is power.  Power is sexy.  Makes sense to me!

9.    If You Don’t Vote, You Can’t Criticize the Government:  Chastising our leaders is a national obsession.  This country feeds on political satire – just ask Rick Mercer, he would be out of a job if we didn’t love to criticize and undermine our leaders.  Even better, The Charter of Rights and Freedoms guarantees your ability to speak freely.  This means making fun of Harper’s haircut anytime you want to.  But guess what, you didn’t vote?  Well that means you have no right to criticize the government, as you didn’t do your part and cast that ballot.  Not happy with those in power?  Too bad you didn’t vote for the opposition!

10.    Voting is a Step in the Right Direction:  Like or loathe our political system, the state of the world, this society, this system or any of the above, you still live within it and can and should try and do what you can to change things for the better.  Voting, the act of casting a ballot in support for a person or party who shares your belief, is a way of trying to make positive change in this world.  No system is perfect, but removing yourself from the equation is not helping anything.