To everyone’s relief, the official election campaign is underway. We’ll forgive you if it’s already felt like a long, unofficial trek to the polls. The official start to the race, at least, means no more campaign announcements masquerading as public information.
Campaign rules, including those on spending and advertising, are also in effect.
It’s no secret that the North Shore ridings are the Liberals’ to lose. A safe seat is not the same as a guaranteed one, however.
A month is a long time in politics.
That’s also where the voters come in.
Parties concentrate their resources where they think they’ll do most benefit. All political parties keep detailed tabs on their voters. Being engaged and following through by showing up to vote has a habit of making politicians pay more attention to you – both at election time and afterwards, when vague promises are put into policies.
We’ll do our part over the next few weeks to tackle the candidates on the issues, get them to answer questions and show you how they conduct themselves at all-candidates meetings and in the public arena.
But none of that will mean much unless voters also play their vital role.
Question the candidates when they show up on your doorstep. Tell them what’s important to you. Grill them on their record or ask how they’ll deliver on their promises. Talk to folks whose opinions you respect, as well as those you disagree with.
As the old quote goes, “80 per cent of success is showing up.” In elections, make that 99 per cent.
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