By Lyonel Doherty, Times Chronicle

You can’t see me, but I am very important in your life. I give you great power, the most power you will likely ever have in this world.

But some of you just waste it because you don’t think it will make a difference. 

Who am I?

Your vote.

Low voter turnout really hurts me. It actually hurts everyone. I am your only political opportunity for change; your only real chance to amend something that you feel strongly about. Yes, one vote can do that.

Sadly, among eligible Canadians who did not vote in 2021, the most common reason was disinterest in politics, according to Statistics Canada. And no, COVID-19 was not a common reason for not voting last year. Overall, the pandemic accounted for two per cent of all reported reasons for not voting in 2021.

Many eligible Canadians said they were too busy to vote; obligations related to everyday life made up 43 per cent of all reasons reported by non-voters.

In an Elections Canada report, Political Science Professor Jon H. Pammett said a decline in turnout is not necessarily connected to political issues or specific events. He added that voter turnout has been declining in many industrialized countries.

Pammett noted that many younger voters, when they enter the electorate, do so at a much higher age. 

Overall, such a trend in low turnout could have serious implications for Canadian democracy, he reported.

In many cases, youth don’t believe the government represents them or cares about their views, and that political parties are so out of touch with young people.

This is why government has to reach out more to get youth interested and involved. Quite frankly, we have to stop making politics so boring.

Where is a Youth Party of Canada when you need one? By the way, we are still waiting for a youth council to be established in Oliver.

Think about it, if you don’t vote you are essentially giving up your right to have any say in government policy. It is even argued that if you don’t get off your couch and cast your ballot, you could be voting for someone you don’t agree with. 

Basically, you are letting other people choose on your behalf and are bound by the outcome.

You can’t help but laugh when you ask someone what the negative effect is to not voting, and they say “Donald Trump.”

Locally, Oliver’s election is rather tame compared to Osoyoos, where a two-way race for mayor is underway. Candidate Dustin Sikora has been on the hotseat on social media for his sizable donation to the “Freedom Convoy,” but surprisingly it wasn’t an issue that he had to defend at Monday’s forum. 

If the election isn’t exciting enough in Osoyoos, we don’t know what is. There is your good reason to vote on Oct. 15.

I must admit that a few times I became disillusioned by the whole process of voting. I thought I would protest by not casting my ballot because I was drowning in apathy. I had a great mistrust in politics. But then I felt cheated by not exercising my democratic right after seeing so many people taking advantage of that power. Was I really going to throw all that power away – the only power I ever had? No way. So, I did my duty and voted. You should too.

Advance polls in Osoyos are Oct. 5 and Oct. 12 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Town Hall. 

In Oliver, you can vote early on Oct. 5 and 6 at the community centre.