Pro-democracy group advocates to express political disappointment on ballots
Posted October 19, 2019 11:27 am.
Last Updated October 19, 2019 6:46 pm.
OTTAWA (NEWS 1130) – A pro-democracy group is fighting for Canadians who aren’t happy with the candidates running for federal government to express their political disappointment on their ballots.
Duff Conacher, with Democracy Watch, is calling for future elections to include a “none of the above” option on the ballot.
He says staying home or spoiling your ballot is not a clear enough protest because you may have made a mistake or been out of town.
“If you don’t support any of the candidates, you can’t clearly send that message,” Conacher says.
He adds it’s important politicians receive the message people are not happy.
Conacher would also like a space on the ballot for people to write the reason they’re not picking a candidate.
“If a million people came out and voted ‘none of the above’ because none of the platforms were strong enough on democratic reform, or environmental protection, or consumer protection, the parties would fall over themselves to change their platforms.”
Conacher says most politicians are not keen on this idea, but he’ll keep pushing for your right to express your dissatisfaction on your ballot.
On Monday, voters across the country will gather at polling stations and cast their ballots for a single candidate to help pick our next federal government.
