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Editor's View: Vote for all the right reasons

This column space has had plenty of discussion about elections and municipal politics for the last several weeks to raise awareness of the general municipal election that happens in Flin Flon today, Wednesday, Oct. 24.
voting

This column space has had plenty of discussion about elections and municipal politics for the last several weeks to raise awareness of the general municipal election that happens in Flin Flon today, Wednesday, Oct. 24. For the last foreseeable time this year, I implore you to get out before 8 pm today to vote.

Vote because the future depends on you. Vote because those who aren’t yet eligible to do so are depending on you. Local government makes decisions that impact our community for years thereafter, and the young people in Flin Flon, along with the rest of us, will live with the effects of those decisions. Set a good example for the young people who look up to you. What candidates will make the right decisions for the future of the community? Will you mark their names on your ballot?

Vote for your own interests. If you don’t look out for your best interests when it comes to government, you run the risk that no one else will. What matters to you? Which candidates are going to have your ear and bring those matters to the table to champion them? Find those people. Vote for them.

Vote because there have been oh-so-many sacrifices made so that you can have the opportunity to do so. You likely don’t think on a daily basis about the many people who have been jailed, ridiculed, abused, and who have even died so that you could have the chance to choose your government. You might not even know their names. They may now be long gone, but the result of their actions and their sacrifices lives on each election day. Don’t take this opportunity for granted. Get out and vote.

Vote so that if council does or doesn’t do something that worries or frustrates or aggravates you, you can complain with some integrity. Vote so that you can share in a candidate’s success, or at least say you tried. Vote for some personal accountability.

Vote because you’re invested in the outcome. Vote because you did your research, spoke with your candidates, and are firm in your choices. Vote because you believe some candidates will do the community better than others. Vote because it matters to you, and to your family, and your to friends and peers.

Get excited about the race. Care about who wins. Have a vested interest in it, because while that vested interest can lead to one type of government, apathy can lead to an entirely different one.

Polls are open from 8 am to 8 pm today, Wednesday, Oct. 24. Visit www.thereminder.ca to find your polling station. Happy voting!

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