Already accepted in some municipalities and set for a vote in others, many communities will abandon the old ballot box next year in favour of non-traditional methods – specifically mail-in ballots.
The general consensus among those recommending the abandonment of the tried-and-true secret ballot at a community polling station is these new methods generate higher voter participation.
Whether a larger increase in the vote translates into wiser choices in the longer term remains to be seen.
Few voters ever went to the polls without their mind made up on who to vote for or against. Often the discussion within a family or social circle aided that choice. Come voting day, or at an advance poll previously made available for people with commuter schedules or travel issues, their vote was cast definitively.
Those same stalwart voters will no doubt continue to apply the same sense of purpose they have in the past with their new mail-in ballot. There is also little doubt their task will be made easier, without the drive to a polling station.
But, added to their dedicated voice, with the new mail-in ballot will be numerous new voters that couldn’t be bothered to participate before. It’s really that simple.
As seems to be the case in today’s world, disengagement or aloofness is worthy of reward despite an acute disinterest in local government.
Arguably, those historically interested will now have their vote diluted out of deference to those not interested enough in the past to spare a half hour every four years to vote.
We’d rather see an informed decision by 30% of eligible voters than a misinformed choice from a larger portion of the electorate.
Along with the concept of rewarding mediocrity, is the very real, unanswered question of security.
We can recall two specific instances previously where multiple votes were cast using the telephone vote and mail-in ballot. While perhaps not a widespread problem, the existence of any fraud is just unacceptable to those who cherish a free vote.
With nominations for local government opening less than a month from now and mail-in options underway, the old joke about voting early and voting often rings a little too clearly.
