Get out and vote

Today is election day, and it’s come to my attention that many out there have decided not to vote.

In the interest of attempting not to be too “preachy”, below I have given a list of excuses I’ve heard today, and the reasons why I qualify the argument as an “excuse.”

“My vote doesn’t count.”

Negative, my friend. Here at Laurier, we struggle to meet quorum on a yearly basis, therefore your vote and everybody else’s counts. Last year, about 12 per cent of the student population voted. I let this excuse fly with a cringe during a federal election, when an individual is perhaps one in one million eligible voters, but not here when last year board of director Jordan Hyde was elected by just one vote. He is now among the strongest personalities in the boardroom.

“I’m in my last year – what do I care?”

You should care for every first year who doesn’t understand what this week and today is all about. Let’s face it, it’s hard to get a handle on our students’ union and it’s functions. So now that you’re a veteran who probably has gotten a handle on the issues, and maybe even knows the candidates or has been in class with them, you should be getting out to vote. Even if in your four (or five if you’ve hung around) years here, if all you’ve done is figure out what WLUSU president is, vote for those who have only been here for five months.

“All the candidates are stupid. Iate the institution!”

Thanks for your critical eye, most of us have one too, but we realize nothing and nobody is perfect. Why not just vote for a BOD candidate? (You have 21 to choose from, and who in their right mind hates Michael Onabolu?) Support the fact that some students want to be involved in WLUSU and despite its flaws, the union gives countless leadership and advocacy opportunities. If you want to be so critical, then why not engage in the process and even take it a step further and run for a position? Then you’d waste your time in the boardroom discussing issues and speaking up for a number of students that disagree with what the union does, rather than wasting it on not voting.

In short, these excuses are just that – excuses. I understand not everyone supports the union or think they can make a difference, but this kind of issue goes back to every election at all levels of government, whether it be national or student. If you don’t like the institution, maybe it’s you who should be up there running the enact change. If you feel like your vote doesn’t matter, talk to Hyde. And if you’re just too lazy to get off your couch – well I can’t help you there.

And maybe if you don’t care what I think, take someone else’s advice:

“Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.” – William Jones

“Unless someone like you cares an awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” – Dr. Seuss

“I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” – Edward Everett Hale