Once our Newspaper hits the street, very few days remain for voting.
The larger day will be Monday, as traditionalists trudge to the polls to do their civic duty. Voters with alternative voting options will need to hand deliver their mail-in ballots, since putting it in the mail is too risky this late in the game. Every vote counts and voters in these centres are encouraged to get their ballot counted – it is not too late.
Despite what we see as tougher races than usual, with some elements bordering on uncivil, all citizens owe respect to the men and women who accepted the call to public life and put their name on the ballot. It is easy to disagree with some platforms, and yes, personalities of those vying for office. What remains certain is that the dozens of candidates who have campaigned, racked up expenses and taken time away from their family to do something they believe in, deserve a genuine thank you.
For the successful candidates who form the next council there will be a steep learning curve. Wise mayors will attempt a quick get together for their new council as well as an orientation session with senior staff. Voters will have made their best choices on available information, trying, we hope, to put together a group of individuals capable of setting their personal agendas aside in favour of getting on with building a community everyone can enjoy and be proud about. Developing common ground is essential for all parties.
It might be well worth a new council talking over the election – not the result, but how the election occurred. We remain adamantly against alternative voting and hope municipalities go back, as others have, to a system where voters treat voting as their civic duty one day every four years, and where no one can make claims that someone was elected illegally through ballot fraud.
Whispers already abound about extra ballots and out-of-town folk having their ballot used illegally. Proponents of alternative voting see it differently, as is their right.
A further look at the ward system is also overdue. Communities with an at-large system have the advantage of choosing who they believe to be the best candidates out of a sizeable field. There is little more frustrating to a serious voter than having to choose from a couple of candidates when in the next ward, far better options exist.
As well, despite publishing ward boundaries and diagrams ad nauseam, people still remain confused by local wards, county wards, and candidates often have signs placed everywhere anyway – as far off as in a different township.
Although we understand ward voting allows for a more focused, cost effective campaign, we argue this is about the voters, not an inconvenienced candidate. The merits of ward voting and its ability to safeguard against larger centres within a township ganging up on smaller hamlets are not lost on us. But, with the level of interest in some wards and the fact that candidates do not always run within their proper ward, we see this system at the local level as a farce. Once elected, the candidate might field calls from their ward, but they are obliged to make decisions for the benefit of all.
County wards also remain awkward despite their necessity based on geography and travel time that would not permit an at large format to be effective at all.
Finally, once the results unfold, we hope people will remain compassionate with their running mates. There is no question the evening can be an emotional experience and flare-ups can occur.
People have put a lot into their campaign, but once the ballots are counted, everyone needs to get on with life and treat the people’s choice with respect.
