The following article appeared in the October 18 edition of the Guelph Mercury:
Mike Essex figured it would be quicker to cast his ballot at the advance polls on Saturday.
He was right.
Although, people flowed in steadily at one of the advance poll locations at the Evergreen Seniors Centre, he didn’t have to wait in line long.
He was in and out in a few minutes.
The Guelph resident said he didn’t think twice about voting in the Oct. 25 municipal election. He explains that he is part of the generation that was taught the importance of voting, since his father served in the Second World War.
“If you don’t participate in democracy, you have got no right to criticize it,” he said.
By the end of Saturday, just over 3,200 ballots had been cast in the four days the advance polls had been open.
“The number of people who take advantage of advance polls is typically quite low,” said city clerk Lois Giles.
She had expected, however, that voting Saturday would be busy, since there were advance poll locations for each ward. The City of Guelph’s experience from the 2006 election was that when it provided that same level of access, voter turnout was much heavier, just because it was easier for voters to go out and vote.
Despite the advance voter turnout, Ward 1 candidate Bob Bell said he suspected interest level is down about 20 per cent.
“People don’t seem to be quite as engaged this time as last time,” he said.
As he heads door to door, Bell said, he is encouraging people to get out and vote on Oct. 25.
Joy Halliburton, a Guelph resident, said she wanted to take advantage of her right to vote.
“Otherwise we have no voice,” she said, after she cast her ballot at the Evergreen Seniors Centre. “We have no right to disagree with . . . what council does.”
Halliburton and her husband regularly watch council meetings and read the paper to keep current on municipal issues. Watching this year’s election debates, Halliburton said, many of the candidates haven’t really pushed the issues.
“They haven’t been forceful enough, in our estimation,” she said.
Ward 2 candidate Ian Findlay said he didn’t expect as many voters to turn out at the advance polls, given the speculation about the low interest level in this year’s elections.
He hoped though that it was a sign that more people would turn out on Election Day.
Findlay said he’s been encouraging residents to vote through his blog and in everyday conversations. He emphasizes the importance of municipal elections.
“It does have more impact on everyday life.”