VOTERS now have less than four weeks to make up their minds about their ballot choices in the provincial election.
That's not much time to actually pay attention to political news and find a rationale for an informed vote.
Few voters will take their research to the next level and try to meet the local candidates or hear them speak at all-candidates meetings. We applaud those that do as caring and committed citizens.
But any vote, even those made on "gut feelings" or the persuasion of friends and relatives, is a more responsible action than ignoring the opportunity to participate in the democracy that is Canada.
Elections BC statistics make clear that it is the youngest group of voters who abdicate their responsibilities the most. Just one in three of the 20-24 age group voted in the last provincial election.
That's a shame. The same statistics show a far higher percentage of older voters go to the polls and that families with higher incomes vote more than low-income families.
Higher income, older voters certainly describes the majority of the electorate in three of the North Shore ridings. So the plain truth of the matter is that if the young don't vote they make the old folks' votes count for that much more.
Politicians pay attention to who votes too. If rich old folks elected them, guess whose priorities direct future government policies?
If younger voters want better transit, better environmental protection, a local film industry or an end to outmoded drug prohibition policy, the first step is to vote.
