Page 6 - May-Jun 25 Reporter-FINAL web

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

POST ELECTION THOUGHTS

TREVOR SMALL
LBMAO President

e have just finished our federal and Ontario provincial elections. council person, or a school board rep or run in the next provincial or
WThere was lots of chest thumping and finger pointing from all federal election and show the world you are a superstar.
sides about how their plan was superior and how others have failed in Many voters think that our elections are rigged and that their
the past or will fail in the future. Like every election, there was a winner candidate was robbed. I volunteered as an election night scrutineer.
and loser. One side is unhappy while the other celebrates their victory. I watched the twelve voting polls to ensure that there was no hanky-
Regardless if your side won or lost, if you did your duty as a citizen and panky with the votes. Our 12 polling stations had around 3000-4000
voted, you have kept up your end of the equation. Now we get to sit votes cast. If someone was able to somehow switch the ballots or
back and see if those that have been elected fulfill their end of the manufacture the voting process – you are in the wrong job. You should
bargain. be with David Copperfield or Penn and Teller in Las Vegas as a sleight
What did we learn from these two major moments in our country of hand master. I personally watched as each ballot was held up
and province’s history? Even in the most contentious election we have during the count and showed to the room to be recorded. This was a
had federally in decades less than 70% of those eligible to vote did so. slow, mechanical process. It was done mostly by retirees who were
Thirty percent of voters who could cast a ballot did not. I understand employed by Elections Canada as polling station workers. They were
that with it being a short time between the election being declared slow but accurate. We did not finish counting at our station until 1:00
and the actual election, some may not have been home during the am. The polls closed at 9:30 pm. It was a lengthy process, but I stand by
pre-election balloting or during the actual voting day. Thirty percent the results. No computers that could be hacked. The results are what
who did not vote, in an incredibly close election year, seems like many the people who voted wanted.
people. I think that is poor, but I am not willing to go as far as Australia We had a few people who took the time to come to the polling
where it is mandatory to vote. station to vote and spoil their ballot. We had one individual who put a
Some people are disillusioned with the process. They think every line through every candidate’s name. Not sure why you would do that.
politician is a crook and that everything the leaders are saying are lies. Others wrote in names of people. I don’t understand why. I guess they
This may be true of some politicians. There are sleazeballs in public are unhappy with the system and want to express it. I think a better
office, but there are those same type of people who are doctors, expression of unhappiness with the system is to get on the ballot and
lawyers, ministers, and retailers. You may say that the political arena get yourself elected. (Sounds like a Richard Prior, John Candy movie)
attracts a sizable percentage of questionable people, but I attended I am not sure that making your voting choice based on a reaction
candidate meetings and found that those running in my area seemed to the most recent events is a good strategy. I think if we are
to be good people. We moved to a completely new voting area last electing people for four years, we need to look at and forecast how
fall so everyone in my area is new to me. The fact is, that public service we think they will perform for the next four years. If you did that,
is not a sexy or easy option. I can’t think of anyone who I met during congratulations. If not, think more long term the next time you vote.
these past two elections that seemed to be in it for the money or the Was I happy with the outcomes of the elections - I am not sure. I
great benefits. It really is a thankless job. At least half of the voters do know that I participated. At the end of the day, we live in the best
think the other person was better suited for the position. If you do country in the world, and we are blessed to have the opportunity to
think you are best suited for the role, run for election. Be a municipal have free and fair elections.

6 LBMAO Reporter - May-June 2025 www.lbmao.on.ca