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If I was asked to design an election process that would guarantee low levels of participation, I would include ten simple elements. First, I'd hold the election in the middle of the work week, unlike the dozens of countries that hold elections on a weekend or holiday. #Onelxn
2. I'd use a voting system that prevents new voices from emerging. That way, you might see only three parties electing seats in the legislature during a period of sixty years, essentially boring everyone into a state of apathy. #ONelxn
3. I'd make sure that legislative power was entirely centralised in the Executive branch. If everyone knows their representative has no real power and that each legislator's vote is whipped in parliament, that would likely reduce turnout. #OnElxn
4. I would prevent young teenagers from voting. That way, they'll develop an early habit of disengagement during their most formative years. In Ontario, a sixteen year old is considered old enough to have sex with their MPP, but not old enough to vote for them. #ONelxn
5. I would prevent all Permanent Residents from voting despite that fact that they live here, work here, pay taxes + send their kids to school. This would ensure that new immigrants aren't encouraged to develop habits of political participation. https://globalnews.ca/news/4157232/cities-non-canadians-voting-municipal-elections/ #OnElxn
6. I'd make sure there was no "None of the Above" option, like many other places have on their ballots. That way, disgruntled voters will just stay at home. (Better yet, I'd create an option to 'decline' your ballot but make sure no one knows about it.) https://www.thestar.com/news/queenspark/2018/06/03/voter-who-tried-to-decline-ballot-met-with-blank-faces-at-barrie-advanced-polling-station.html
7. I'd allow a handful of unaccountable private media networks to organise rigged Leaders Debates that exclude anyone except a small cartel of parties who already hold seats in the legislature. This would guarantee inertia and quell any attempts at innovation/disruption. #ONelxn
8. I'd make sure civics was only offered in one year of highschool, as a 1/2 credit, with mind-numbing content, and that there was no training available for civics teachers. That way, when it comes time to vote for your MPP, most people will simply wonder "What's an MPP?" #ONelxn
9. I'd force everyone to line-up for their turn to vote on a piece of paper, rather than including an option to vote online. That way, we can teach our kids what it was like to rent videos, buy tapes, book flights or get cash from a bank teller. It's important to teach history!
10. Lastly, I'd use an obscure and discredited voting system that forces people to vote strategically, rewards negative campaigning, and creates either unstable minority governments or fake majorities that most voters didn't ask for. https://www.facebook.com/events/218423272093435/ #OnElxn
...All that aside, do get out and vote today. This is the system we're stuck with for now, so make the best of it. But let's also raise our expectations about what our democracy can look and feel like. We can do better. Let's fix it! Polls are open til 9: …https://voterinformationservice.elections.on.ca/en/election/search
