Voter Turnout
Voter turnout hit an all-time low in Red Deer during the 2007 election with only 22.04% of eligable voters going to the polls (Source: City of Red Deer's Election 2010 Candidate Handbook).
How can we encourage a better voter turnout this time around?
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- Forums:
Voters and Candidates - Chris Stephan
It has been great to see increased numbers at the advanced polls. Thank-you for those who have already voted and to those who are going to vote on Monday. I appreciate the healthy competition from the candidates. Based on the campaigns, I am optimistic that their will be some good leaders for Red Deer. I certainly hope to be included among those selected to serve for the next three years. If I am not selected, I wish those who are the best of luck.
Best Regards,
Chris Stephan - for City Council
www.votestephan.com
Low Voter Turnout
I expect the Voter Turnout to be about the same as in 2007. The reasons are that we have an incumbent Mayor running again (go Hilary go) and that out citizens are generally happy with how our City is managed. This is supported by the recent Ipsos Reid Report where 99% of Red Deer residents are happy to live in our great City, 86% of respondents are satisfied with the value they receive for their tax dollar and 96% are satisfied with the overall level and quality of City services. This survey was from 300 respondents which obviously did not include you.
Back in our last Council retreat or maybe in one of our many workshops the topic of low voter turnout was brought up, I suggested that we have a plebiscite question that will bring out the public and the topic was the development of Veterans' Park. My colleagues thought that I was joking again so we went on to another topic. They were right as the majority of Red Deerians supports the $1.3 million park and we have not heard anybody complaining.
Voter turnout - setting a great example
In 1995 I was campaigning as a candidate for Public School Trustee at the Market. A couple with their son approached me and said they were just helping their "first time voter" meet all the candidates and gather information on the upcoming election. I thought "Wow - these are great parents". It was a great lesson to me as a parent of 3 young boys. There are many new young voters in our community - I hope they get out and vote - I hope they have been blessed with parents like the ones at the market that day.
For many people in our community who have never voted it can be a bit of a scary experience. It can also be a bit overwhelming particularly if you haven't been following the issues. We all have a role to play in encouraging people to vote - strike up the conversation!
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Voter turnout - Election 2010
This past week I had a conversation with three young women in their twenties who had never voted. I am hopeful they will follow through on their commitment to "do it"! on October 18th.
Municipal politics matters. It's the closest level of government to us. It's the public services we need and use each and every day.....first thing in the morning when we flip on the lights, turn on the tap, put out our garbage and recycling for pick up, drive down the streets or take transit, visit the library or a recreation facility, need the services and assistance of city staff, or just knowing that the services of police, fire and EMS are available to us.
Having conversations with our family, friends, neighbors and co-workers starts political interest. Who hasn't had an engaging political conversation? Share this website so others visit it so they can be an informed voter. Invite someone to come to the upcoming forums and participate. Remind folks to vote on Election Day. Bring your child along to observe you casting your ballot. (I remember turning 18 and how excited I was casting my vote!)
Reminding voters about the advance polls is useful too - October 2nd, 8th, 9th, 15th and 16th at the Sportsman's Room - Recreation Centre.
I believe social media is changing politics. Who knows, in the future we may be casting our ballots on our phones or computers.
In the meantime, one of the things we can do is challenge each other to get the vote out. Wouldn't it be terrific if Red Deer had the highest voter turnout in Alberta. Now that would something to be proud of!
Dianne Wyntjes - A New Voice for City Council
voter turnout
I think, from all I hear, that voter turnout is often a topic of conversation in homes and communities, across the country, for all levels of government. I suspect that conversation is mostly from people who vote.
Chat at the dinner table with family and friends may help to motivate and encourage some folks who might otherwise stay home. Changing attitudes can be a challenge, if there is a belief that politicians never get it right.
My children are voters and already my grandchildren at a young age are wanting to vote. If you value democracy you must participate in it. You can make a difference.
TerryLee on Voter Turnout
Hi! This election is well under way, so my suggestions and the ones I have received from residents I put out there for future elections.
- Residents do seem surprised at how low the last voter turnout was! Hopefully, that does not happen again!
- Referendums on the ballot could be used allow residents to vote on larger issues affecting the whole city.
- If there are limits on the number of terms that Councilors can run consecutively then that might encourage some of our City Councilors to take the plunge and run for Mayor. Having more competition for the Mayor's race generates more interest and having more Councilors run will open up more spots on Council for residents to run for City Councilor positions. The limits suggestions I have heard range from 3 - 4 terms as a maximum. Doing this though, would mean that we would no longer get our long-term Councilors like Larry Pimm who has provided great wisdom, has been a strong great leader and a favorite City Councilor his whole time on Council.
- Residents have asked me A LOT about why more people don't run for Mayor. A quick look over the "history" of Mayors in Red Deer shows that more often than not - if you do not have experience as a City Councilor then residents will not vote you in as Mayor. For Red Deerians, there appears to be this "unwritten" mandatory requirement. I am certain there are some great professionals and business people in our City that would consider running for Mayor if they felt that residents were open to having that style of leadership at the City.
- We do need to find a way to engage more young voters. I know the schools utilize them during the elections and they do have "mock" elections in class but how do we get them to see how important their vote is to the final picture. Maybe we can encourage more young candidates to run?
I would love to hear more from residents about this topic!
Vote for Me.... TerryLee
Increasing Voter Turnout - By Chris Stephan
I am predicting an increase in voter turnout this year. Much has changed in our city since 2007. Here are 3 factors which will encourage more people to the polls:
Please come out and vote and encourage your friends and family to do likewise.
Chris Stephan - For City Council
For information about my Platform, please visit my website at www.votestephan.com.
Voter Engagement at Electionforum.ca
It's been a while since we've had respectable turnout numbers in a Red Deer municipal election. 43.1% was the peak number in the past 30 years (in 1992). Check out the numbers from 1980 to 2001 in this interesting document on the City website.
One of the reasons the Library has set up the Election Forums (in 2004, 2007, and now this year) is to encourage more people to vote. We're hoping we can do much better in 2010 than 22%!
Using an online forum to help more people learn about the candidates and the voting process is an important tool in getting more people engaged in the democratic process. But this is about more than just voting; we encourage people to ask candidates questions, to volunteer with campaigns, and even to consider running for office themselves (nomination day is still to come!)
Voter Engagement
As a new resident to Red Deer, but a Central Albertan born and raised, and a former City of Red Deer employee, I am very excited to be eligible to participate in this year's voting opportunity during the upcoming Election. As a very busy working Mom of 3 active boys - a college student, a kindergartener and a pre-schooler - plus full time work, marriage, friendship, and aging parent responsibilites, my opportunities to get out to community events are limited. That does not mean that I am uninterested or apathetic as to how my tax dollars are managed and spent. I believe there are many other Red Deerians out there just like me.
Which leads me to believe that candidates should not underestimate the power of social media. I very much appreciate the time the candidates have taken to update this forum, create well informed websites, and other social media, and allow me to learn more about their campaign and the skills they bring to managing my hard earned money on my behalf. The ability to read and learn in the comfort of my own home, after my little ones are asleep and the days demands are met is crucial to my ability to make an informed decision - which gives me confidence to participate in the Election. If I am unable to access this information, I am not as likely to show up to vote. Again, I am confident I am not alone here.
Red Deer has a wonderful balance of age and generational groups, singles, marrieds, families and all walks of life - who deserve to be well represented. If you want more voter turn out, you need to reach these people - in their lives...on their schedule. This is one more great effort - I for one will feel more engaged and able to make a better informed voter decision on October 18th!
Thank you to all candidates for stepping up and good luck with your campaigns.
Arminnie Good, Red Deerian, Wife, Mom, Entrepreneur, Full Time Employee, Facebooker, Twitter follower
Voter Engagement
Hi Arminnie,
Thanks for the comments. You raise some good points and I agree there are a lot of people in our community who feel the way you do. Our lives are all so busy. I think in an effort to engage our citizens we keep trying to do similar things in slightly different ways and we fail to raise attendance or the interest of many citizens. Instead of trying to get many people to engage in one way, I believe we need to use several methods designed to appeal to different demographics. The whole area of social media is greatly enhancing our ability to connect with people and you have probably noticed that the City has begun to participate. As an organization the city needs to continue to improve what we do. I like it because I can engage any time of the day or night around my family and work schedule. Thanks for participating and I am glad to hear you will be voting in the city this year.
Cindy Jefferies
Engage our community in many ways
As a City Councillor from 1995 through 2007 I have particpated in many, many public consultation processes. I think though we need to utilize social media and other alternative methods to try and reach the younger citizens and try and build a community for us all. Somehow we need to make everyone feel as part of our community and take ownership perhaps we can then engage people to vote and help build this great city.
Visit electdawson.com for more about my ideas.