Have you voted today?
If the answer to that simple question is no then you still have time to get out to your polling station and cast a vote.
That is not just something for people in Yorkton. Today is municipal Election Day across the province, and most urban municipalities have votes today.
Ditto half the Divisions in rural municipalities.
In Yorkton much has already been written about this vote in terms of interest in the sense of the number of people who have stepped forward to seek a spot on Council; 24 for six Councillor positions, and four for the mayor’s chair.
But the numbers are not unique.
Five are seeking the nod for mayor in Melville, and the Councillor candidate lists in communities such as Ituna, 21, Sturgis, 17, and Preeceville, 13, are long as well. It shows a high level of interest in the direction municipal Councils will take over the next four years, and that is a good thing.
Anyone who cares about their community enough to let their name stand should be thanked. It takes courage to put your name on a ballot, especially in a year where far more will not win seats than do.
So it is a positive for communities, just as it is for those seeking support on rural municipalities, and not to be forgotten, those running for spots on school boards across the region.
And now, as the polls are open today, it is up to the rest of us to play our role, and it is a very important role, to get out and vote.
It’s not an onerous process. We need only drive a few blocks to the polling station, and then mark a ballot. You can vote for one, or up to six candidates for Council in Yorkton, and one for Mayor. The process is that easy.
As easy as it may be, it is important. Who we collectively elect will set the course for our community for the next four years, and beyond. It will be the next Council which determines how much our property taxes will be.
They will determine where those tax dollars are spent, the services that may be added, trimmed or eliminated over the next four years, which streets may be paved, whether the Kinsmen Arena is upgraded, and the list of decisions goes on.
Today is our chance to have some direct influence on those decisions, by choosing the candidates we believe have the knowledge, foresight and integrity to make the best choices for Yorkton today, and as we move forward.
Democracy gives us the right to vote in elections like the one today, a right hard fought for, as we will remember Nov. 11, so let’s honour those who fought for that right, by being part of the process today.
Get out and cast your ballots.
