King actually has a relatively high vote turnout: nearly half of registered voters show up at the poles.
Only about 1/3 of Vaughan registered voters show up. Is our virtual 50/50 “good”? Of course it isn’t, especially when you consider how much municipal government affects our daily lives.
Whom do you think sets your property tax rate, and spends your tax dollars?
I like what Carol Wilding said in the May 23rd Toronto Star in response to, “What one thing would you suggest to improve life in Greater Toronto” (she’s President & CEO, Toronto Board of Trade):
“Get out and vote. This October, we’re going to elect a new mayor, but typically only four out of every 10 Torontonians cast a ballot. We need people to get out there, better turnouts produce stronger mandates.
Everybody has great ideas to make a great city even better. The best way to turn those ideas into action is to get people to exercise their democratic right at the poll, and vote for the candidate they think stands for a better Toronto.
Our Board of Trade campaign is really pushing what the pressing issues are, how do we drive debate, how do we identify solutions, how do we motivate people to take part?
Inform yourself.
Take an informed stand on the issues. Get the information that you need in order to make an intelligent and thoughtful decision. More importantly, get out and cast your ballot.”
Have any ideas? Especially – how do we engage our youth to vote?
PLEASE COMMENT (below).
Greg,
i agree that having a higher voter turnout is important, but had anyone taken a good hard look at the demographics? Is there on group that is not getting out there to vote and what can be done to change all of that?
And lastly, when can we(or rather I) start going out and knocking on doors??? it is already August!