01.22.06
I am still alive!
I’m busy, I’m tired, I’m stressed out, burned out, taking 400-level classes and that meant pulling an all-nighter on CHRISTMAS EVE, but I’m still alive.
I just renewed one of my domains the other night, and checked on the expiry dates of my other ones, so that reminded me that hey. I have this domain. This site. Which I neglect pretty much all the time. For which I apologize. I’ll try to do better, honest I will. (Although I have my doubts that anyone still reads this page.)
Anyways, I am breaking my silence to tell all Canadians to vote.
Once again, for the third major election in a row, I will be working at the polls on election day.
I’m going to give you all some backstory on my voting behaviour, so you can all see where I’m coming from.
My very first vote came on October 30th, 1995. It was the referendum on sovreignty in Quebec. Being a staunch federalist (that’s to say, I do not support Quebec seceding from Canada at all), I voted NO to Quebec separation.
Considering the final results were something like 50.58% NO and 49.42% YES, every single vote in that referendum mattered like nothing had ever mattered before. And I was part of it. Great introduction to voting.
I voted in my first federal election in 1997. I went to advanced polling because I was leaving the country and wouldn’t be able to vote on voting day. I voted Liberal. They won.
I attempted to mail in a ballot for the Quebec provincial election in 1998. It didn’t get there in time. I am still bitter. I selected Liberal on my ballot, though it didn’t count. The Parti Quebecois got into power, and the Liberals lost.
I voted in the 2000 federal election. Again, I voted Liberal. They won.
I voted in (and worked at) the 2003 Quebec provincial election. I voted Liberal. They won.
I voted in (and worked at) the 2004 federal election. I voted Liberal. They won. (A minority government, mind you, but they won.)
This year, I’m working at the 2006 federal election. That’s Monday. For the first time in my life, I did not vote Liberal. I voted NDP (New Democratic Party) because I am tired of the Liberals but would rather eat my ballot (which, incidentally, is not permitted) than vote for the Conservative Party or the Bloc Quebecois. I would rather not vote at all than vote for the Green Party of Canada or the Marxist-Lenninist Party.
I voted NDP because I have a rather large hunch that my riding will go Liberal anyways. (It always does.) I wanted them to see that they had at least a little less support in this riding than they usually do.
But here’s the thing. Your vote matters. Every vote is counted. Every vote makes a difference, if only people would believe it. Vote for the party you think would form the best government. As of 2004, with your vote, your party gets $1.75 in funding, so your vote really does matter, even if your party doesn’t get into power, it will help them.
That said, I can’t bring myself to suggest voting NDP if you think it’s a tight race between the Liberals and the Conservatives, even if you agree with the NDP more. I can’t. I am too scared of seeing Stephen Harper as the next PM of Canada. I’ve been predicting a Tory minority government since the election was called, but they’re ahead in the polls and a Conservative majority government, IMHO, would be BAD.
But really, the important thing here is that you VOTE. Turnout was down to 60% in 2004. Let’s bring those numbers back up and get back out to the polls.
Am I registered to vote?
If you got a Voter’s Information Card from Elections Canada addressed to you at your proper address, you are registered to vote. If you did not get this card, here’s how you make sure you can vote on Monday:
First of all, find your electoral district by visiting this link. Click on the “Am I on the list of electors?” question on the right hand side and this will give you your returning officer’s contact information. CALL THAT NUMBER. Open 7 days a week. Ask them if you’re on the list and where to go vote and when if you don’t know.
If you’re NOT on the list, ask them what you need to bring with you to vote on Monday and make sure to bring everything they request you bring. Also, don’t forget to ask when and where you should vote.
(Usually, a photo ID and a recent utility bill with your name and address on it will suffice for verification purposes.)
So you have no excuse not to vote. Go. Vote. Make your choice be heard. Make a difference in the way your country is run.
I’ll post again after the elections. Hope you’re all doing well. :)