To the Editor,
Re: Voter turnout will never meet expectations, Opinion, Nov. 18.
This column on low voter turnout being a function of voters being distracted in the information age misses the mark. Information actually better informs voters on the issues and candidates. By blaming the amount of information, the writer takes politicians off the hook and shifts the blame to the voter.
But look at Lantzville, for instance, which logged 50 per cent voter turnout. Given that politicians pushed through a water deal without public consultation, is it any wonder 50 per cent of voters found something better to do on election night?
The information age simply makes it easier for voters to see through the smoke and mirrors. What’s needed is a different system of accountability where politicians can be held to task if they fail to follow through on the very promises that got them elected. Then voters may feel that someone is listening and that their votes actually matter. The information age is part of the solution, not the problem.
Todd Martinvia e-mail