[thistleclub]

What will it take to get people to vote?
(Hamilton Spectator, Andrew Dreschel, Nov 3 2014)

After last week's dismal voter turnout of 34.02 per cent, Councillor Sam Merulla wants to grow democratic participation by enticing voters with rewards.

Merulla doesn't know what form the incentives might take.

"If I knew it, I would say it."

He knows for certain it shouldn't be cash.

"It can't be money because the perception of that is terrible."

But he intends to put forward a motion to study the issue at the first meeting of the new council next month.

Merulla argues the new council should make boosting voter turnout for the 2018 municipal election a priority.

"It's about participation; it's about engagement; it's about ensuring that everyone is involved in the process."

Despite a number of crucial issues facing Hamilton, the Oct. 27 election saw the lowest turnout since amalgamation.

In the first amalgamated election of 2000, turnout was 43 per cent of eligible voters. In 2003, the turnout was 37.4 per cent; in 2006, 37.3 per cent; and in 2010, 40.45 per cent.

But as Merulla points out, Hamilton wasn't the only southern Ontario municipality where herds of voters stayed away.

In Burlington, the turnout was about 34 per cent. In Mississauga and Brampton, it was 36 per cent. Oshawa came in at 26 per cent; Kitchener about 30 per cent; and St Catharines roughly 31 per cent.

Toronto broke the pattern with a whopping 60 per cent turnout, the biggest since it was amalgamated.

One thing Merulla won't countenance is compulsory voting as in Australia. Electors who fail to cast a ballot in federal and state elections Down Under are fined about $20. Unsurprisingly, turnout is always more than 90 per cent.

Merulla argues the punishment approach is undemocratic.

"I think people have every right not to vote as much as they're free to vote. You start imposing punitive measures and suddenly you're no longer a free society."


Read it in full here.