I never voted in a university student election. Not once.
Even when I ran as a write-in candidate, a protest vote against some stuffed shirt seeking the position, I am not 100 per cent certain I cast a ballot for myself. (Although that moment would spark a lifelong love affair with tormenting elected officials.)
I didn’t vote because I didn’t see a reason for it. In fact, I was disconnected (happily, mind you) from the entire university governing process. The president was a non-entity to undergrads; the student government seemed more like a social club.
I could tell you about every music venue in town, including lineup and cover charge, but had no clue as to how my student fees were allocated.
I didn’t carry that attitude into adulthood as I became more connected with my community. I have never missed voting in a local or state election, and have cast a ballot for every president since I was eligible to do so, even though one could argue those votes are far less meaningful than those early student elections I skipped.
I started thinking back on those days recently as the University Students’ Council election season gets started once again. Campaigning begins on Tuesday, running to Feb. 11, with voting taking place online Feb. 12-13 at voteusc.ca. The hopefully hack-free elections results will take place that evening.
Now is a chance for students to reengage in a process they may have otherwise ignored for some time. Let’s just say it’s a good practice run.
I realize this is a busy generation, one accused of exploring breadth, while not burdened by depth. They have been labeled ‘slacktivists’ – sign a few online petitions, beef up the resume with some ‘voluntourism,’ maybe share a few items via social media without any research (How did that KONY 2012 thing turn out?).
Although there are pockets of truth, especially if you spend too much time on social media, this label is no more accurate across the full extent of your generation as the labels slapped on my Generation X. (I did, however, wear an unusual amount of flannel in the 1990s for someone who wasn’t a member of Crazy Horse.)
But there are numbers to live down.
A recent study of North American universities showed low voter interest across many institutions. Private universities had an average student voting participation of 20.16 per cent; public doctoral institutions had an average voting participation rate of 16.67 per cent. In comparison, the public institutions had 43 per cent more voters, nearly 50 per cent more enrollment (49 per cent), yet, private institutions had an 18 per cent higher percentage of their student body voting.
For voters in that age group, the turnout in state/provincial and federal elections is worse. And you wonder why nobody talks about postsecondary education or student debt.
At Western, turnout has been above average, especially for a campus that doesn’t boast the most activist student body.
Voter turnout for the student elections was fantastic last year, but the forced redo after the tainted results dropped them. In 2011, 31 per cent of Western students turned out compared to 30 per cent in 2010 and 39 per cent in 2009.
Not bad. But 7 of 10 students are still not represented in the process.
Now, I am not going to lecture you about voting. This isn’t one of those columns. Heck, part of me wants to discourage you from doing so, thereby creating a lifelong habit in you that will make my vote count that much more.
But don’t miss the opportunity to be informed. There’s no need to run for office; but at least know who is. No need to account for every dime; but at least know where those dimes end up going. Heck, no need to vote; but understand what it means not to.