Ab SchAdvance voting is a wonderful system established by Elections Canada that contributes to the vitality of our democracy. But the drawbacks of the process aren’t always borne in mind. While it gives many people an easier way to cast their ballot, advance voting puts early-birds at slight disadvantage when it comes to decision making.
The polls in SUB for example, have been open since the 5th of October, a full two weeks before election day. Anyone who votes that prematurely makes themselves a hostage to fortune. Surely there are developments in the federal campaign that will come to pass after many people have already voted. Even though this is one of the longest election races in Canadian history, most of the action in terms of advertising and media coverage will take place during the final week or so leading up to the 19th of the month. What if a scandal implicating a party leader is revealed before election day? What if the policy wonks decide to reshuffle a party’s platform to benefit from updated poll results? These contingencies are unaccounted for in the electoral calculus of the advance-voter.
Doubtless, the introduction of special ballots and advance voting systems are stepping stones on the path towards more participatory democracy in Canada, but people tend to forget that they necessarily entail a downside. It might seem like an inconsequential reminder — indeed, the likelihood of any development that could change voters mind is slim — however a part of me wants to see the campaign run its course before I transfer my political voice to another person. With a week yet to go in this arduously long campaign season, something tells me to run down the clock and wait for the parties and candidates to turn out their pockets, roll up their sleeves and put their cards on the table.
