Yes, people might not relate fully to any one party or representative. But at least vote Rhino, or something. I could care less if people throw their votes away (figuratively), but doing nothing at all simply says people do not value their role in society.

Devin’s recent post provides important steps that government can take to try to engage the public as well.

Most of the blame for low turnout belongs with the voters themselves. If you couldnt at least find one of the leaders (or a local candidate) to support then you are too stubbornly committed to your own point of view that you don’t realize you cant have everything you want in politics. Even if your local candidate didnt stand a chance you could go out and register your dissent.

My experience has been that most people who dont vote either dont care about politics (possible because its “uncool”) or because you realize one vote doesnt make a difference. No electoral fix is going to change the fact that we are each just 1 in 30,000,000.

We need to quit blaming politicians and “the system” for low voter turnout. Its called “VOTER turnout” for a reason. PR and “forced voting” arent going to change the fact that some folks just dont care and others are going look at the numbers and recognize their own insignificance.

Why bother voting if our votes DON’T MATTER? In ridings where there is a well-situated incumbent, there is very little incentive for people to go to the polls to vote for the other candidates.

Our democracy is broken. The low voter turnout is just one of many symptoms.

Therein lies the silliness of cordoning off “freedom of religion” rather than adhering to a principle of “freedom generally”. Believe something because of science, pliterature, personal observation, personal preference, moral philosophy, gut feeling, whatever and you are left without a constitutional remedy and the government can force just about anything down your throat… Believe something because of unsubstantiated mystical claptrap and delusions about the nature of the universe and you get a free pass.

Clearly we have no “equality” between atheists/agnostics/etc. and religious folk.

Yes, lets force all the people who genuinely disagree with all the parties and disengage from the process to vote..

The vote for none option isn’t good enough?

Anyhow, the second group is protected by the Charter.

…

Jehovah’s Witness and other similar groups with religious restrictions on voting would be exempt of course.”

Yes, lets force all the people who genuinely disagree with all the parties and disengage from the process to vote, but let those who are afraid the sky fairy will strike them down for doing so get out of it.

The Canada Elections Act states,

PART 2 CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER AND STAFF

Electronic voting process

18.1 The Chief Electoral Officer may carry out studies on voting, including studies respecting alternative voting means, and may devise and test an electronic voting process for future use in a general election or a by-election. Such a process may not be used for an official vote without the prior approval of the committees of the Senate and of the House of Commons that normally consider electoral matters.

Elections Canada plans on having voter registration within two years, and a by-election with online capabilities within five years. The issue of voter apathy was intended to address all jurisdictions, but you’re right in that I should have clarified in respect to the recent Federal election. However, voter registration can still occur at the Federal level by mail, so the comfort of the home, or the walk to the mailbox, still applies. People with physical disabilities can vote at home by contacting the returning officer.

In addition, the following means can be used to vote:

A special ballot could have been submitted any time before Tuesday October 7, 2006 at 6:00 p.m. and does not require a Voter Identification Card, only an ID.

In short, there’s little excuse for not voting if someone is inclined to do so.