Vote count continues to put focus on self-inflicted democracy deficit in Prince Rupert

The polls were open at the Jim Ciccone Civic Centre on Saturday
but less than one third of eligible voters stopped by to vote

The ongoing goal of generating community interest in the democratic process on the North Coast added another chapter of challenge this week. 

With another election cycle come and gone where those who are eligible to vote ...  for the most part did anything else but.

On a day where the weather Gods smiled down on Prince Rupert with blue skies and warm temperatures, the final vote count offered up but a 32 percent participation rate, leaving 68 percent of the voting public to remain outside of the electoral process. 

A result which puts the city's affairs in the hands of those who basically take office without the endorsement of two thirds of the community they will govern.

Now that's not on them, the candidates put their names forward and ran their campaigns, they won the most votes of those who bothered to vote and as they say to the victors go the spoils and a four year term of office.

The tallies from Saturday show a collective that did get their vote out, a testimony to their political organizing skills and messages that clearly resonated with their followers;  but also a warning that the larger picture of a healthy democracy continues to wither.

There was some hope earlier this week that the 2022 election might generate improved participation, with two advance polls showing slight increases from 2018, but that positive trend dissipated on General Election Day as the final results were delivered.

As things turned out the 2022 count wasn't that much different that four years ago and this year's vote featured an actual race for mayor, as opposed to the 2018 acclamation that returned Lee Brain to office for a second four year term.

Saturday night delivered a 32 percent participation rate, much the same as 2018. 

2014 which was the last time the city featured a high profile race for the mayor's job saw a 47.5 percent voter turnout with 2,495 of the 4,270 votes cast sending Lee Brain to office. 

The 2014 vote making for the highest turnout of the last decade.

2011's  election voter participation which  featured a three way race for the mayor's office saw 41.38 percent participation.

The 2022 vote count of 1,486 for the Mr. Pond is a significant drop however from his last run for office in 2005 when he was re-elected to a second term of office with 3,337 votes over challenger Gloria Rendell's 693 votes.

The 4,030 total votes in the Mayor's race of seventeen years ago an indication of the decline in voting participation that is marked by the most recent total vote for the post of 2,836 on Saturday.

Considering the range of challenges facing the city, the ongoing battles on how to and who should finance major infrastructure projects, create housing and address any number of social issues in the community, local politics still doesn't appear to resonate much with the public. 

Something which runs the risk of allowing the elected officials to develop a sense and ethos that they know best. 

That can create an environment where there is little need to explain to community members how they are governing. The work of the city done mostly outside of the scope of the public meetings and more and more often it seems of late in workshops and behind closed doors.

The theme of transparency in public office gained a short mention during the City Council Election forum this year, but for the most part, the answers didn't really offer much detail on how the candidates viewed the importance of such, or how they would guarantee a dedication towards it. 

We imagine that most who decide to put their name forward for public office head into their quest with grand ambitions and a dedication towards civic service. 

While everyone may want to be a team player, a frequent theme of the last eight years, the post of Councillor is one that should see those that are elected serve as advocates for the residents and voters who sent them to City Hall. 

That requires oversight and the need to ask questions in the public forum of the council chamber … even if the answers don’t subscribe to a council narrative. 

Something that was not a frequent occurrence in recent years. 

However, in an echo chamber that concentrates on being part of the 'team' ... sometimes the focus of why they are there may get lost. 

If not careful, that evolves into a situation where the priorities of both the Council and Mayor will see their agenda themes take precedence over what the residents may be hoping for. 

Leaving behind what should be the practice of good governance, one with complete dedication to Open review along with sone dedication towards a sense of accountability and oversight to their work.

Something which as we've seen in the past, where the themes of "Saving A City" or "Unusual decisions for unusual circumstances" seemingly became more of a priority, than that of providing for transparency and full accountability for the public.

That's not a healthy thing, not for the community, or for the prospects towards a full dedication to democracy. 

You can revise the 2022 Election from our archive page here.

Cross posted from the North Coast Review.