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Letter: Here are ways to fix low Mission voter turnout

We need to connect in between elections
30765544_web1_221021-MCR-mayor-results-crowd_1
Mayor Paul Horn (left) speaks to the crowd celebrating at Mission City Hall on Saturday night. (Bob Friesen photo)

Editor:

I haven’t written a letter to the editor in many years, but your recent column (Mission voter turnout an abysmal failure) on low voter turnout during the 2022 municipal election has prompted me to do so.

There are many possible reasons why turnout was so remarkably low for this election, including that the election was held a month earlier than usual and that voter registration cards were not mailed by the province on this occasion. But I think there’s something more going on, and it’s important for elected people to embrace the message in those low numbers.

Our community (indeed, our country) has become less connected in the wake of COVID.

And, for many, there are continued hardships as a result of the pandemic. When we are struggling to pay our bills or dealing with family challenges, voting falls lower on our list of priorities.

Finally, for some, these last few years have heightened a sense of distrust for anything that resembles government or authority.

RELATED: Opinion: Mission voter turnout was an abysmal failure

After every election, we hear concern about low turnout, but I think we should be taking a different approach.

First, I believe we should be thanking the people who did take the time to understand the issues and to research the candidates. That’s no small feat, especially in an era with fewer opportunities to engage or observe candidates in real life.

So let me say here that I appreciate everybody who came out to vote in our most recent election, no matter who they voted for.

Second, I believe we all need to do a better job of connecting between elections. It’s clear to me that our processes are often unnecessarily complex and impersonal. People want frank answers, clear decisions, and meaningful input.

I want to invite the 78 per cent of people who did not vote to engage with government on a regular basis.

My job is to make that as easy as possible and I am committed to doing just that.

I’m not asking for more complaining but rather more “constructing.”

If we do a good job of giving people a way to contribute ideas, give feedback, and ask questions, I believe they will show up on election day, and on more days between elections.

And I think Mission‘s future will be brighter as a result.

Paul Horn, mayor

Mission



Chris Campbell

About the Author: Chris Campbell

I joined the Victoria News hub as an editor in 2023, bringing with me over 30 years of experience from community newspapers in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley
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