From the Editor: Two elections, two chances to be heard

The first time I voted was during the 2024 provincial election. It was my first opportunity to make my voice heard.

I love journalism, but sometimes it can feel like I’m shouting into the void. Voting made me feel like I was part of a collective that wanted to see change in its community and across the province.

This month, British Columbians have two opportunities to make their voices heard. Municipal elections are taking place across the province on Oct. 17, followed by the B.C. election on Oct. 24.

Keeping up with one election can feel overwhelming, so two elections in back-to-back weekends may feel even more so. But, both of these elections need your attention.

In municipal elections, voters will elect one mayoral candidate, city councillors, and school board trustees. The number of councillors and trustees ranges from city to city — Surrey residents will elect eight city councillors and six school board trustees.

Other issues may be on the ballot as well. In Langley City, residents will vote on a non-binding Community Opinion Vote to collect feedback on expanding two community facilities. 

Keeping up with candidates and parties running in your area are incredibly important. While municipal elections can sometimes feel unimportant, city councils control so much in our neighbourhoods — roads, transit availability, parks, recreation centres, policing, and even the homes being built and where.

Provincial politics matters just as much. The B.C. government decides funding for healthcare, education — including post-secondaries, and large-scale transportation infrastructure.

It can be tempting to not vote when no candidate fits the vision you see for your community — or if the candidate you prefer doesn’t have a good chance of winning. Campaign promises might seem repetitive and it’s difficult to know which politicians will follow through once they’re elected.

This feeling often rings true for students. Between classes, work, personal commitments, and never-ending assignments, it can feel difficult to keep up with a month-long campaign. 

But politics doesn’t exist in a vacuum. It follows us and exists across campus, at our workplaces, and in our homes. The decisions politicians make shape our everyday lives, so when given an opportunity to vote, it’s important we do — because this right doesn’t exist everywhere or equally for all.

One vote can seem small, but elections are decided by individual ballots. During the last provincial election, the Surrey-Guildford riding came down to a difference of just 22 ballots. The 2022 Surrey mayoral race was a difference of less than 1,000 votes between first and second place.

So, take time to learn about your candidates, mark the dates in your calendar, and make a plan to vote. Encourage your friends to do the same.

After both elections, stay engaged in both local and provincial politics. Be sure candidates follow through on the promises they made, whether you voted for them or not.

The best way to make your voice heard is to use it — at the ballot box.