One election season in the community in which I was living, there was a race that had two candidates vying for the top job. One candidate had proven skills for the position and the other candidate had an excellent marketing team. The one with the marketing team won by a healthy margin. Their term in office, however, was fraught with disaster. They didn’t make a second term.
My friend, Pat Nichol, who wrote the column, ‘Courageous & Outrageous,’ in this spot for many years, would often tell people: “It’s your privilege and your responsibility to get out and vote.” Each election, she would volunteer to drive people to the voting booth.
I want to add to Pat’s sage advice: Do your homework and vote responsibly.
After one election, I walked into my place of business, downhearted at the results of the election. A staff member and new Canadian told me happily that they had voted, and their candidate won!
“How did you decide on which way to vote?” I asked.
“Oh, that was easy! I just voted for the top name on the ballot.”
This isn’t a joke. After we had a discussion, I offered to help them research the candidates in the next election, so they could make their choice from facts rather than alphabetical positioning.
How do you make your election decisions? We have all lived long enough to remember both favourable and unfavourable results. We may not always get the candidate of our choosing, but I know when I vote I have done my part by doing my homework and considering the candidates as if they were applying for a position in my organization.
If you’re not sure where to learn more about perspective representatives, here are a few places to start:
- Get a full list of the election candidates.
- Check out the candidates’ internet presence:
- Website
If you’re not comfortable navigating online, ask a friend or family member for assistance.
- Attend the public forums offered.
- Listen to others in the community. Ask those you trust who their choices are and why. Of course, you can do the opposite, as well. Find out from people you disagree with who they are voting for (if they’re willing to share) and do more research on their favoured candidate.
- Watch or attend council meetings throughout the year.
- Create a set of important questions you can ask each candidate. Include specific questions about what is happening in your community and broader questions that encompass overarching issues. For example: “Will you support the development proposal coming to Council this winter at (address)? Why or why not?” “What is your stance on houses with odd numbers being mandated to be painted purple?”
- If you cannot meet the candidate in person, call their office to ask your questions.
- If they are an incumbent, check their record on how often they attended meetings, as well as their stance on various issues.
During the BC municipal elections on October 15th, join me in voting responsibly.
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Laurie Mueller, M.Ed is retired and living in Victoria with her husband, Helmuth. She recently published The Ultimate Guide on What to Do When Someone You Love Dies, available on Amazon. More about Laurie can be found at www.lauriemconsulting.com or on Facebook.