Why should you vote?
Perhaps that's the wrong question, according to Michael Brydon, a Simon Fraser University academic who studies why people make decisions. A professor with the university's Beedie School of Business, Brydon says the more important issue is why people should bother to vote.
Brydon says voters lose interest when the issues are too complicated.
"It has to be something they're interested in, not pipelines," he said. "A lot of people don't feel confident enough or that they have a proper grip on the issues to vote."
Brydon, who is also the elected director of the Regional District of Okanagan-Similkameen, said, faced with complexity, many people simply have faith that better-informed voters will do the right thing. They also believe their one vote won't make a difference, so again leave it up to others.
"I call it free-riding, when people let everyone else do their homework and vote because they can't be bothered," said Brydon. "It's like when people only buy best sellers or order the house wine or sort their purchases on Amazon by most popular."
Brydon describes their behaviour as "herding."
"People assume there's no need to vote because they trust others will make rational decisions."
He noted many don't vote because they see the outcome of an election as a foregone conclusion.
"But if everyone in society did that our democratic process would fall apart," said Brydon, who points to Australia as having high voter turnout. "But in Australia it's a legal requirement, so it's more of a norm."
Elections B.C. spokesperson Don Main said only 51 per cent of eligible voters cast their ballot in the 2009 provincial election. The highest voter turnout in B.C. was in 1983 with 70.5 per cent.
"But this is not unique to B.C.," said Main.
In an effort to increase voter turnout, Main said Elections B.C. has ensured this province has the most accessible electoral process in the country. Eligible voters in B.C. can vote at any electoral office in the province, though they have to vote for candidates in their home riding.
"You could live in downtown Vancouver and cast your vote in Prince George with a write-in ballot," said Main.
Eligible voters can also vote by mail and at advanced polling stations. (Advance voting began on May 8.) To reach as many voters as possible, and to update its voter registration list, Elections B.C. launched a massive campaign this spring in which stations were set up at community and recreation centres, at First Nation band offices and on campuses across the province.
Canvassers went door-to-door in new subdivisions and housing developments to add people to the voters list. Notices were also mailed to residents, bringing the total number of eligible voters on Elections B.C.'s registration list to 1.9 million. If you've moved, you can register at any polling station.
Main said to get the word out, Elections B.C. launched a campaign using Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, as well as ads on TV, radio, online and in print. Notices were sent to every eligible voter in B.C.
For more information on how or where to vote, visit elections.bc.ca.
