Civic Duty Alberta: 2008

I decided on a whim to vote in the provincial election yesterday.

The voting process was rather quaint; mark an X in the church basement and give your paper to the nice old lady. Edmonton-Strathcona is a University riding, so almost nobody at the polling station was registered (including myself) - students move too often.

I have little faith in representative democracy’s ability to be either representative or democratic at the best of times. I have even less faith in it in this province, which has had the same party in power for the past 37 years.

Election results confirm my disaffection; another huge majority for the Progressive Conservative party. 88% of the seats with only 53% of the popular vote; first past the post is a marvellous thing. (I especially like the part where the people with the power to change the system have the most to gain from the status quo.)

The Wildrose Alliance came in (a distant) second in Whitecourt-Ste. Anne, my parents’ riding. The candidate? Link Byfield, of Alberta Report fame. I cannot begin to express my distaste.

Once I’m done my degree, I’m out of here.