voted.
You love music, and you are giving the honour of voting for the prestigious Polaris Music Prize. They have changed the format recently, and voters are given 2 choices: Avril Lavigne or Justin Bieber. You dislike both choices. In fact, you dislike them so much that you couldn’t bear to see either of them win such a prestigious award - an award that used to mean something. But, you were given a rare privilege to vote. Do you vote for the one you dislike the least? Or do you choose not to vote, and throw away the privilege? Which would make more of a statement?
People often attribute low voter turnout to “voter apathy” - a lack of interest. The populace does not appreciate what they have, or they’re lack of interest in politics is a sign of low intelligence or something. But I think low voter turnout is a symptom of a greater problem - a problem with the system and the people behind it. People are tired of being lied to, manipulated, courted, given promises and cheap pick-up lines. The “apathy” is more applicable to the politicians themselves, who have a lack of interest in people, and what they need and what they care about.
I do believe voting is important - that democracy is important - but we also have the right not to vote, or to keep our decisions to ourselves without being called “apathetic” or unintelligent or uninformed.
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go vote for the Saskatchewan Liberals.
