Municiplal Elections
Municipal Politics are an interesting branch of politics. Mainly because most people’s everyday complaints have something to do some kind of municipal body. Whether it be the pot holes in the road, plowing the snow in the winter, and even garbage collection. What amazes me is that municipal elections have the lowest voter turnouts. It seems to me if you choose not to vote then you choose not to complain. Unfortunately I don’t know a single person who didn’t vote and didn’t complain. How could people not want to have a hand in deciding who is going to run their city?
I do understand that this year’s mayoral race is a little futile. There are nine candidates including the incumbent. Of them, the incumbent is the only one who looks like he could do the job. The other candidates do not seem to have the slightest idea what it takes to run a city. I understand that this could be a deterrent in making it out to the polls. But that doesn’t mean that your vote doesn’t count. If everyone who thinks that there’s no point voting because the outcome is obvious stays home on election. Well then the outcome could end up surprising us all. But we cannot forget that the mayor does not work alone. On the same ballot you must select 2 city councilors as well as a school board trustee. Ward 4 has 14 candidates with only one incumbent running. So this will be an interesting vote. Especially if everyone has a say.
I also hear a lot of people complaining that not enough youth are involved in politics. As a young person who is involved in politics I must agree that young people are a rare breed. An explanation may be that young people learn from example. If we don’t have leaders showing us that it is important to vote than I don’t expect much different from the next generation.
Next time you complain about something that your government should be doing, ask yourself if you voted to put that government in place. Whether you for or against the current government in place at least you voted. Really that’s what counts.That you participated in the set up of that government.
- Youth Voice for Mid October 2007 by Melody Cesar
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