Educated people vote

Democracy thrives on an educated electorate. This fall's municipal and school board elections serve as a crucial test of public education, urging citizens to take responsibility for preserving and strengthening their democratic rights. Voter turnout is disappointingly low, often hovering around 50% federally and provincially, and as low as 25% in local elections. Reasons for abstaining from voting seem unconvincing, with many feeling disempowered, ignored, or indifferent.

It's concerning that the right to vote could be eroded, as seen in the SAVE America Act threatening American citizens' voting rights. Proposals to redraw electoral boundaries and eliminate mail-in voting, while lacking evidence of fraud, would disproportionately affect marginalized groups. In Manitoba, low voter turnout has been exploited for sectarian motives like religious indoctrination and gender discrimination.

Buffie emphasizes that local elections are a reflection of our democracy's fragility. The maxim 'All politics are local' suggests that these elections are our canary in the coal mine of democratic health. Centralized power often distances decision-makers from those they govern, potentially stifling civic engagement. However, voting knowledgeably and responsibly is a small price to pay for the democratic advantages we have, which are not universally enjoyed. Democracy hinges on an educated populace, making it imperative to exercise our right to vote.