In less than five months, local residents will be heading to the polls to cast their votes in the 2010 municipal election.
At least it would be the hope that local municipalities will see some kind of election. While it might be an easier process to election council by acclamation, not to mention a less-costly route, it kind of flies in the face of democracy.
It seems almost shameful there are still countries around the world that do no allow their citizens to vote in their choice of government while countries with democratically-elected governments seem to battle with apathy. Voters seem to fall into one of three categories when it comes to their reasons for not voting. They think their vote will no’t count so why bother, they think they are just too busy to take time to vote or the simply do not have any interest in politics.
The later, this disconnect between residents and elected officials, carries on after the election and raises the most concern. There are certainly residents who do show an interest in politics and seem interested in the whole election process but the vast majority seem willing to simply ignore the whole process until something happens within their municipality to shake up the status quo.
That is not to say that current serving members of municipal councils in our region are not doing a good job and don no’t deserve to remain on council.
It would just be a more affective process if residents actually had to think about their selection and vote in their representatives rather than having the seats filled by acclamation.
An election once every three years is not asking too much of local residents. Not only does the election give a municipality the chance to have new people on council, it also allows the voters a chance to touch base with their elected officials.
Most municipalities in the region have done away with annual meetings because of poor attendance, which means election forums once every three years are about the only chance the electorate has to hear from those who are leading their communities.
Municipal elections in Alberta are held every three years and always take place the third Monday in October, making this year’s election Oct. 18.
It is not too early to start thinking about running for a seat on council or school board.