Are you going to sit on the side-lines this election, or are you going to be a voter?
As a voter you can be a part of something bigger than yourself. You can join with all the other voters who are seeking a culture change within Council this year. You can join with all the other voters who want to steer this council down a different path for years to come.
But, if you don’t use your voter rights in this election you are letting someone else determine your future and your future rights. Therefor you owe it not just to yourself but to future generations to join with the other voters making a change for better this election.
“I am only one vote – what difference can I make?”
In the last election barely 50% of the eligible voters voted. If all the people who didn’t think they could make a difference had voted we could have had a completely different outcome.
Most of the people who do not exercise their voter privilege are younger people. Marching in the streets demanding change is all very well, but you really want to be an effective agent of change then join the march to the polling booth. Voting for change is how can instantly make a difference.
“Voting won’t change anything —I don’t see why I should even bother…”
I am equally frustrated with how hard it is to bring about change in local government. However, if you don’t vote then other people will decide the change (or not) for you.
The other reason to vote is that if you don’t vote you risk losing that right. Our Government is currently consulting on the future of cash in New Zealand. Because of the high cost of maintaining cash in circulation and the fact that we are using it less and less as a means of payment they say we should go cashless. If you do not exercise your right to vote, they may decide that it would be more efficient have your representatives appointed by a panel.
Not only is voting your right, it is your responsibility, join with other voters bringing about a change for the better.
“I want to vote but the entire process just seems like such a chore. I don’t have the time to figure out how to get registered and all of that…”
One of the problems with change is that it requires effort. We all think that someone should do something to clean up the environment, or reduce the
If having a Council that reflects your values is important to you, then I encourage you to join the people of Tasman voting for a better Council this election. Together we can be the change required.