Ballot Boxful of Excuses
The current legislative council by-election campaign, resulting from resignation of a legislator from each electoral district, has seemed to turn many public figures, who usually don't shy from giving opinions, into tight-lipped people. In particular, many prominent people in the "patriotic" camp became very tentative when asked whether they will vote in this by-election, deemed a de-facto referendum.
In the past few days things became clear as many local leaders decide not to vote, by staying home or leaving town. There are many reasons for people not voting, most of which I consider excuses. However, many reasons, seemingly unique to this campaign, have been uttered by people not wanting to vote, famous or not.
In the following a number of reasons people use to defend their decisions not to vote (that I have never heard of in previous elections). Following each explanation is my attempt to counter it.
- "I am not voting to protest legislators abusing the system (by resigning and running to reclaim the seat)."
Sure, the people who triggered this election seem to be taking advantage of the law stating that vacant seats in the legislature have to be filled as soon as possible. What they forgot to consider is that voters can take advantage of this opportunity to keep those who resign their seats from returning to the legislature.
- "If I vote, someone will try to pull the same stunt in the future."
Similar to the last point, we get an opportunity to elect someone who doesn't resign on a whim (I'm sure those who resigned gave much consideration before acting). If someone pulls this stunt a second time and still be able to return to the legislative, the problem lies with US, the voters.
- "If I vote, people can interpret my act as me supporting the resigned legislators' actions."
Whether one chooses to vote or not, one's decision will be interpreted by someone. If one decides not to vote, the government can (and probably will) assume that one supports the government's political reform package (which, to me, is a huge step backwards).
- "The resigned legislators are setting a bad example for children (by swearing and throwing objects in the legislature and quitting)."
Again, we can use the election to elect good role models for children or, at the minimum, people who don't quit when things get tough. The problem with this excuse is that the other legislators (and high officials) are not exactly great role models themselves — arriving late, not participating in any debate or introducing motions, not fulfilling campaign promises, flip-flopping, and, of course, discouraging people from participating in a legitimate election.
- "This election is a waste of taxpayer's money."
The election does cost a lot of money, but if those elected keep a close eye on how the government spends taxpayer's money, the money saved will be enough to cover the by-election costs many times over.
And you know people are resorting to silly excuses when someone uses the following to defend one's decision not to vote.
- "Because I follow a low carbon lifestyle, I am not voting." (No, I did NOT make this up.)
Does an election leave a high carbon footprint? Unless many voters drive to the polling station to vote, I can't think of any direct relationship between holding elections and carbon emissions. Instead of wandering the mall and buying unnecessary products, one can reduce one's carbon emission by walking to the polling station.
If one is complaining that a large amount of paper is wasted (ballots, voter master list, notices, etc.) in holding an election, what about the amount of paper wasted by the government and outside parties during the political reform consultation period (after which practically no change in the government's proposal can be found)? Not to mention the hot air emitted by all sides in the political reform debate.
All these excuses make me long for times when people choose not to vote due to their satisfaction with the way things are at the moment and the lack of suitable candidates. Good thing I won't hear such statements at the polling station.