With the summer holidays over and the kids back to school, campaigning in the province-wide municipal elections will likely kick into high gear. Sadly though, voter apathy is alive and well in the suburbs however, many communities are trying to change that in time for the October 25th vote.
Durham Region voters are among the most apathetic in the province. Ajax bottomed out at a 23 per cent turnout in 2006 followed closely by Whitby, Oshawa and Pickering ranging from 24 to 28 per cent. Peel Region isn't much better with just shy of 25 per cent of eligible voters in Mississauga casting ballots in 2006. The provincial average was 38 per cent. The city of Toronto registered a turnout of 39.3 per cent.
Ryerson professor of politics Myer Siemiatycki said municipal politics matters.
"Everything from garbage collection, water purification and supply, zoning, what can be built next door to you, what are the schools going to be like, parks, policing and fire," he said. "I think sometimes we need to give our heads a bit of a shake and remind ourselves that in terms of the direct impact of government decisions it's tough to beat municipalities for decisions that really affect in a direct way the quality of your life."
He said voter apathy seems to live large in communities where there's no real competition like Mississauga where Mayor Hazel McCallion doesn't even campaign. He said the bedroom community syndrome is also part of the problem. Many people don't work where they live and are less engaged in local issues however Blair Labelle, deputy clerk of Ajax, doesn't buy it.
"Their kids are still in schools here, they're still using the community centres, they're still driving on the roads so it's still important that they focus on it," he explained.
Siemiatycki told 680News the municipal election system is not voter friendly like the federal and provincial systems.
"It's not like the federal system where you've got political parties, you know who stands where, your choices are relatively clear and simplified. At the municipal level it's trying figuring out who all those names are on a ballot without any identification of record, party, etc. It is tougher," Siemiatycki said.
Vaughan and Ajax are trying to persuade more people to get out and vote. Ajax recently launched a YouTube video campaign featuring local celebrities pushing the message. Vaughan has branded the 2010 election as "This is your Space" and even has a website dedicating to promoting the vote - thisisyourspace.ca. It refers to the space on the ballot between the front and back end of the arrows where you mark your choice.
Anywhere voting is also being offered in many 905 communities. No matter where you are within your city or town on election day you can go to any polling station - not just your ward - and cast your ballot.
Markham pioneered internet voting in 2006 and will offer it again this election from Saturday, October 16 at 10 a.m. through Thursday, October 21 until 8 p.m. Voters will still be able to cast a ballot in the traditional way by visiting an advance voting location or on election day.
Related link
toronto.ca/elections