The Signs of the 2009 Yellowknife Municipal Election
Posted on 19. Oct, 2009 by Shane in Events
You see them everywhere. Signs, signs and more signs reaching out to you for your votes in the 2009 Yellowknife Municipal Election. The campaign signs stand out like frozen representatives trying to convince you that their candidate is the best person for the job. But does having so many signs across the city win votes? Does the way signs are designed and scripted really make a difference or tell the truth about a candidate’s true motives and agenda? Can a basic 2 colour sign with a name and 3 word slogan say anything about what a candidate stands for? Will a sign have any bearing on the actions of a winning candidate when they are in office? [ scroll down to see the photos ]
In reality, some candidates will always have more money to spend on signage than others – and that shows. Does that mean the candidate with more, big and better signage will win more votes? I hope not because that would be a sad display of the democratic process. Moreover, if people based their votes on who has more, bigger and better signage rather than trying to understand the person behind the campaign signage then they should not vote at all. Voting like that ’could’ potentially skew any given election with random voting results that are not a true reflection of the people. Conversely, imagine if everyone paid attention to the messages, thought about what was important to them, asked questions, researched and communicated with ‘all’ the candidates directly – rather than focusing on one or two populist sound-bytes – and there was 100% voter turnout it could be a much different world. Maybe a better world. Who knows what that world would look like.
The other challenge is that less people are participating in the voting process every election cycle too. Why? I do not know the answer to that but it could be that people are voting less because (a) change is marginal (b) all the candidates are using the exact same sound-bytes so there is no way to differentiate between campaigns (c) you believe the same people will inevitably win anyway; thus, you do not see the point (d) you are fine with the status quo (e) you do not want to vote for any of the candidates (f) you simply forgot to vote (g) you would rather be watching ‘Dancing with the Stars’ or ‘Gossip Girl’ (h) you do not believe in democracy (i) voices in your head say no (j) you have election burnout (k) you are a communist or (l) all of the above. Whatever, the reason – many people have stopped participating in the voting experience. I am ok with that but I do hope that those that continue to vote have put some thought and genuine consideration into the way they are voting so that the election results are true and not just another juvenile popularity contest… You can get more information about the candidates on the Yellowknifer Online Election 2009 page. Now do some research and get out and vote on October 19, 2009!
P.S. DISCLAIMER - I am not saying campaign signs are not important. I believe campaign signs serve a purpose (i.e. reminding people there is an election) but they are only  small part of a much bigger campaign picture. My whole point is that we should all do our collective homework about who the names, slogans and faces are behind all the signs and hope that we get the best possible results for all concerned.  Here are a few of the 2009 Municipal Election campaign signs seen around Yellowknife. Click on the images to enlarge them.
5 Responses to “The Signs of the 2009 Yellowknife Municipal Election”
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Judith
19. Oct, 2009
Hi Shane,
I really enjoyed reading this topic. I am always surprised (and it is the same in the Netherlands, where I am from) how few people are actually interested in politics / elections(especially the local ones) and bother to vote.
Unfortunately I am not allowed to vote today (being a visitor and not a Canadian/Yellowknife citizen) but I am very interested in this campaign and its outcomes.
In my adult-life I have always voted for every election in the Netherlands so far. I find people should vote, and if they don’t, they have no right to complain about anything the (local, regional and/or national) government does or does not do for them!
One last thought: in a small community (such as Yellowknife actually is) I think people will usually vote if they personally know one of the candidates (being relatives, friends, neighbours or colleagues) as a personal favor. I don’t know if it is really true, but somehow I think that, and if it is really the case: why would any candidate actually bother putting up signs and campaigning at all…
Shane
21. Oct, 2009
Thank you for adding your perspective Judith. I find the issue of non-voting a challenging one. I used to believe that if you did not vote then you do not have the right to complain. However, we are all paying taxes and the salaries of the politicians regardless of whether or not we voted. Therefore, as taxpayers, everyone has the right to complain. In addition, we are born into a country that has created basic rights and freedoms for all. I feell that if those rights and freedoms are being challenged or infringed upon by government bodies or other entities than we definitely have the right to complain. The other arguement is that some people do not want to vote for any of the candidates. How can someone be asked to vote for people they do not like? It seems silly when you think about it. There should really be choice for voting ‘NO’ on the ballot’s as a way to protest. But that is another discussion all-together.
Judith
23. Oct, 2009
Hi Shane, in the Netherlands, you can actually vote ‘no’, by turning in a blank ballot paper. That vote is counted in the turnout-percentage, but does not influence the result of the elections. You could see it as a ‘protest’ against the candidates, the elections in general, but you show you are interested in politics and care to vote… Is that not possible in Canada?
Shane
26. Oct, 2009
Hi Judith, it is not possible here. If anyone wrote anything but an ‘X’ next to a candidate the ballot would be considered spoiled and discounted.
Jared
15. Feb, 2010
I think it would be interesting in the next municipal election if signs were banned. This would require more effort by the nominees to get their opinions and arguments out there, because I dont think signs change a single thing In Yellowknife. Brochures can be handed out, and tv / radio spots can be more utilized. This would force people the learn more about the people they are electing, and more accurately vote for someone who they think would best represent them.