Election Day

Election Day has become a ritual for me ever since I turned 18. During the day I vote and encourage others to exercise their democratic right, and then once the polls close I camp out in front of my television waiting for results to come in.

This election is different. For the first time, I experienced voter apathy. This is saying something for a politically liberal person growing up in Conservative Alberta. During the 2008 general election, I was satisfied that Ralph Klein was finally gone. For the Federal general election of 2008, I barely paid attention to the Conservative incumbent guaranteed to win in my riding, but anxiously awaited the results for New Democrat Linda Duncan.

Of course, our municipal government doesn't function under the party system. Instead, candidates propose their vision for the city when vying for a spot on council. But I don't have a vision of myself in this city. I plan on moving away from Edmonton when I finish my degree next June, and I haven't put much thought into the potential of eventually establishing a life here. Even the ballot itself proved troublesome. Do I vote for a Catholic Board School Trustee, an institution that was responsible for my grade school education, or for the Public Board to reflect my current (non)religious views? Even my anticipation of the Election Day was lessened by the necessity of voting 2 weeks ago- between work and night class I had no time to make it to my polling station today.

With 7.5% of poll stations reporting, CTV is predicting a win for Mandel. Looks like Edmonton will continue to see plans for an expanded LRT system, the potential for Expo 2017, and the closure of the airport. Congratulations Mandel, but I'm dreaming of Ireland.