If you decided not to vote in an upcoming election but everyone else voted for the person you wanted to be elected, they’d get in. You wouldn’t have to lift a finger, and you’d be happy.
Maybe that’s happened to you in the past.
You may look at the options and it doesn’t appear that anyone represents the future you want for your community, State or Country.
Maybe you just have a low opinion of politicians – always promising things and never delivering.
Maybe you’ve never voted before, you’re not that bothered in elections and just want to get on with life.
The truth is, voting matters. Every vote counts.
In the upcoming City of Perth mayoral and Council elections, it’s more important than ever. With so many people running for one Mayor and eight Council positions, it’s probably going to be extremely close. Every vote really does matter.
Last time, in a two-person race, the winning Perth mayoral candidate was elected with just over 2,200 votes. The challenger was only around 400 votes behind. Extremely close.
And look what happened. The $7.2 million, 2,000 page inquiry report into the City of Perth highlighted major issues with the previous Council and leadership.
Many people in the UK thought (incorrectly) that Brexit was not going to succeed in 2016. Even those that had voted for it, including Boris Johnson himself, thought they would probably lose. So much so, that the Brexit side did not even arrange a party on the night the results came through.
On the other side, of those who did not want Brexit to happen, some thought a defeat for Brexit was a foregone conclusion. 28% of eligible voters did not vote, and were then shocked by the result. They only have themselves to blame.
Likewise in 2016, many did not believe Trump would win the US Presidential election, especially after the infamous ‘Access Hollywood tapes’ and many other things he said and did. 45% of eligible voters did not vote, a 20 year low.
Don’t believe that votes don’t matter. Every vote absolutely matters.
If you missed the deadline to register to vote, you may be frustrated that you don’t have a ballot. Channel that energy by reaching out to someone who does have a ballot and encourage them to vote.
Perth has been through too much. We have to carefully navigate our way through the COVID-19 pandemic and are faced with a whole raft of issues.
I have been working in the city for a decade, and have demonstrated how to lead an organisation, activate space, build community, consensus, and a good culture. I understand the importance of good governance, being truly independent. Listening.
With seven candidates running for Mayor, the winner could get over the line with 2,000 or fewer votes. The difference between the winner and second or third place may be a handful of votes.
So, if you are registered to vote in the City of Perth election, the take-away is that you should vote. Ballot papers were sent out last week, and most people will have returned their ballots by now. If you haven’t, make a plan to return your ballot today.
Here is a link to a video on how to vote in the City of Perth election.
Every vote matters.
#LetsLeadChange
Image: https://edition.cnn.com/2016/11/11/politics/popular-vote-turnout-2016/index.html
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