How we might cure voter apathy

It is disconcerting to know Ontario has the worst voter turnout in Canada. I can think of a few strategies that might help. These could apply at both the provincial and federal levels.

Of key importance, I believe, is that we need to reform our electoral systems to ensure every vote counts. Under the current ‘first past the post’ system, the elected government does not truly reflect how voters vote. A form of proportional representation would mean that nobody would feel their vote was ‘wasted’ and this might discourage the kind of apathy we have now. In such a model if ‘party A’ received 35 per cent of the popular vote, then that party would take 35 per cent of the available seats in government. This is not currently the case.

Equally, if our governments could improve their transparency and accountability, and our representatives could converse more respectfully and constructively, perhaps voters would have greater confidence and be more inclined to participate. Greater emphasis by the education system on teaching young people about our political system and doing more to encourage immigrants to engage might also help.

Finally, if all else fails, we could consider making voting mandatory, as some countries already do, and fine eligible voters who don’t cast a ballot. A drastic solution perhaps, but maybe it’s one whose time has come. Jane Jenner, Burlington