The Martlet

Many people suggest that politicians neglect students and young adults.

There are cuts in university funding, soaring tuition and student debt, and no minimum wage increase in years.

But this neglect by government is due also to our neglect of government. Most of us don’t vote.

Politicians in liberal democracies craft promises and policies designed to win the most votes. When in power, they govern with re-election in mind. They strategically allocate time and money in a fiercely competitive environment. And they are keenly aware that voter turnout varies widely by age group.

Voter turnout among 18- to 24-year-olds in B.C. and throughout Canada is very low.

In the last provincial election, 64 per cent of us did not vote. But 58 per cent of all eligible voters and 74 per cent of 65- to 74-year-olds did. In the last federal election, 56 per cent of 18- to 24-year-olds cast no ballot. These numbers prompt vote-hungry politicians to ignore us.

Fortunately, we’ll have three chances to boost our numbers during the coming election season.

The federal election is on Tuesday, Oct. 14. The main contenders are the Liberals and the Conservatives, led respectively by Stephane and Stephen. The Liberals are campaigning on Dion’s Green Shift and his “dream team;” the Conservatives on attack ads and, miraculously, Harper’s personality.

The NDP is the only major party in English Canada that pays lip service to students and young people, but has no chance of forming a government.

The Green Party will need a miracle to win a single seat. Yet all three major parties are competitive in Greater Victoria’s federal ridings, so our votes could tip the balance in these tight races.

If you missed the advance polls on Oct. 3, 4 and 6, and you’re not registered to vote, you can do so on election day. For quick info on when and where to vote, and what ID to bring, visit www.elections.ca.

On Nov. 15, exactly 10 days after Americans choose McCain or Obama, B.C. will hold municipal elections.

B.C. voters will elect their mayors, city councillors and school board trustees. In the City of Victoria there are several big issues: sewage treatment, homelessness, drug addiction, property crime, downtown revitalization, an apartment vacancy rate of less than 0.5 per cent and the city’s draconian proposal to force our favourite late-night eateries to close at 1 a.m.

Sonya Chandler, who is seeking re-election, is so far the only councillor to firmly oppose forced closures. The leading mayoral candidates are Rob Reid and Dean Fortin. These elections are crucial, so be sure to check out their websites and platforms.

If you’re registered as a provincial voter, you can vote in municipal elections. If not, you can register on election day with proper ID and proof of address. Visit your municipality’s website for voting times and locations.

The 2008/2009 election season finale is a May 12 double-header. First, we’ll vote in the provincial election.

Gordon Campbell’s BC Liberals will try to fend off the BC New Democrats led by Carole James. The BC Liberals’ ruthless cuts to universities, health care and social services have hurt many British Columbians.

Students have been hit hard with massive tuition increases, but the BC NDP will have a tough time convincing enough voters that they are fit to govern. This election will be close.

After marking our election ballots, we’ll mark ballots in the provincial referendum on electoral reform. The referendum will ask B.C. voters, “Which electoral system should B.C. use to elect members to the provincial Legislative Assembly?”

Option one is the existing electoral system. Option two is the single transferable vote electoral system proposed by the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform.

Visit www.citizensassembly.bc.ca to learn more. The May 12 referendum offers us the chance to dramatically transform our electoral system.

Registering to vote in provincial elections and referendums takes about 10 minutes at www.elections.bc.ca. Those of us who are leaving town right after exams can vote in advance polls or cast absentee ballots.

Hopefully the upcoming election season (with its three important elections and potentially transformative referendum) will be good for voter turnout among 18- to 24-year-olds.

If we vote in high numbers, politicians will have an incentive to consider our concerns.