Dying to vote
Today, the privilege of democracy demands our attention
For the first time in 20 years, an Alberta election campaign has engaged, challenged, frustrated and angered voters. It has been raucous and rancorous, with moments that have caused us to examine who we are and where we are going. Polls are tight. The only prediction we’ll make is that democracy will emerge the winner.
There is little doubt that today could see one of the highest voter turnouts in provincial history, a welcome change from the embarrassing ennui of 2008, when nearly 60 per cent of the electorate never bothered to go to the polls. It was the worst participation rate in Alberta history. Voter turnout in that election was, sadly, the lowest in Calgary.
We will not attempt to analyze which parties might be the beneficiaries of the high voter engagement expected today. We will only say that it is not healthy for voters to be confident or to despair. Democracy is never a done deal until the votes are counted. Today, more than ever, your vote matters.
Alberta is clearly in political transition. What we are doing today is the political equivalent of hitting the refresh button on our browsers. From a list of 429 candidates, many will be elected for the first time.
There are nine registered political parties, officially listed alphabetically on the Elections Alberta website as the: Alberta Liberal Party, Alberta New Democratic Party, Alberta Party, Alberta Social Credit Party, Communist Party (Alberta), Evergreen Party of Alberta, Progressive Conservative Association of Alberta, Separation Party of Alberta, and Wildrose Alliance Party. Of the 429 individuals standing for office, 12 are running as independents, not affiliated with any party.
As well, there are 13 candidates for the federal Senate. Three will emerge as “senators-in-waiting” for consideration by the prime minister as a replacement when a sitting senator from Alberta retires.
“Alberta is once again leading the country in the fight for a better system of government at the national level by holding a Senate vote alongside the general election,” Robert Roach, of the Canada West Foundation, recently noted. “Albertans have the chance to send a message to all those who think that an illegitimate Senate is the best we can do. Albertans can show that we are not afraid to stir things up and that a strong and fair democracy is worth the effort.”
Many ridings in Alberta have been redrawn. Information on where and how to vote is on the Elections Alberta website.
Alberta empowers its citizens to vote. By law, employers must allow three consecutive hours for voting, to be determined at the employer’s convenience, with no deduction or penalty to the employee.
In other countries, voters risk death for the privilege of democracy. In Alberta, there is no excuse. You have the law on your side and information at your disposal. Use your franchise wisely, according to your convictions and beliefs. But, please, use it.