Ontario residents will elect a new government on Thursday of this week. By the time many of you read this, the election will be over, we will know which party will form the next government, who the Premier will be, and who will represent our region in the legislature.
We live in a democracy. In a world where many people are challenging the effectiveness and power of democracy, the responsibility to vote is more important than ever. In Ontario and in Canada, we respect the results of elections, even if they are not what we hoped for, and we respect our neighbours, friends, and family members who may have voted differently and hold opinions different to our own. This is one of the best things about Canada.
In our democracy, we have a secret ballot. There is a good reason for this. It protects the choice an individual makes with their own conscience, and without influence. Protecting this choice can influence the outcome of an election.
Pollsters and political parties love to know who someone will vote for ahead of time, but in reality, its none of their business. Polls gauge the intentions of voters. Political parties call contacting voters by phone or text and asking their intentions getting out the vote. The basic fact is that all that matters is that we vote. We are not obligated to say for whom before cast a ballot. There are places in the world that have elections that are a complete sham, and there is no secret ballot in many of those purposely fraudulent elections.
Many voters are undecided until they get to their local polling station. Certainly, every candidate will give reasons why they are the best choice. The main point is, the individual decides who to vote for, and which candidate and party they believe best represents their concerns, values, and interests.
A voters choice is personal, but the benefit of the greater community also needs to be considered when making a decision. The economy, health, education, and the environment are all things that have influence beyond our homes. Think of how the outcome of an election could affect neighbours, friends, and family.
Government is the source of many important services and the oversight of the rule of law. But it is not something that simply exists on its own as a source of benefits. In a democracy, citizens choose the government and select representatives to make and adopt the laws which administer the various roles and responsibilities government has. This is why it is so important to vote, and also why it is so important to carefully consider who to vote for. Voting is the citizens responsibility as a way of shaping how a province, country, or town is governed. Angry posts on Facebook of questionable substance are no substitute for a ballot.
Our government is only as good as the will of the people who elect it. Uphold your responsibility and vote.
