A Kamloops group that is working to increase voter turnout from 29 per cent in 2011 to 50 per cent in 2014 has inspired Marilyn Fischer of Triple A Senior Housing to issue a challenge in Langley.
Local turnout for the 2011 election in the Township was 25.9 per cent, and in the City it was 20.9 per cent. Anything less than 30 per cent is considered very low.
“This is a very important election given the extension of terms from three to four years and the important issues that both the City and Township are facing,” she says.
“Therefore, Triple A Senior Housing is hereby issuing a friendly challenge to the Township and City to see which community can increase their voter turnout the most.”
Fischer added an incentive to her challenge.
Her group, which sponsored two all-candidates meetings at the Langley Seniors Centre, is calling on all candidates from both the City and Township to make a pledge of $50 or more to their choice of one of the two charities it has selected — the Langley Christmas Bureau and the B.C. Yukon Command of the Royal Canadian Legion.
Candidates from the jurisdiction, City or Township, with the highest percentage increase in voter turnout, would be expected to make good on their pledge to their chosen charity. Voters in that jurisdiction could possibly consider the candidates’ donations a reward for getting the vote out.
Fischer hopes the two challenges will inspire people to get out and vote on Saturday. Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.