The president of the Council of Senior Citizens Organizations of B.C. says while many young people have no interest in voting, she has no doubt they’ll get there one day.
“Once they have a mortgage, start paying taxes and have children, that transition happens pretty quickly,” said Lorraine Logan. COSCO is an umbrella organization made up of numerous seniors’ organizations and individual members. In 2014, COSCO worked with 82 affiliate groups representing about 108,000 seniors.
Logan says when it comes to voting, seniors are definitely in the majority, despite the mobility and health issues many face. Logan added voting is something that should be passed down from generation to generation.
“I was brought up to vote and I remember one time when my father tried to tell me who to vote for. I think that was our first argument,” said Logan, laughing at the memory.
She remembers during past elections watching her father hand her mother a list of names to vote for and how infuriated she was by that gesture.
“But after dad passed away, I asked my mom why she never argued with him about it,” said Logan. “She looked at me intensely and said, ‘It’s a secret ballot, dear.’”
Logan said most political parties offer services, such as rides to polling stations, to make it easier for seniors to vote
“Well, not the Harper government, they made it harder,” said Logan. “Bill C51 has made it much more difficult to vote, especially for the homeless and people living with no fixed address. I suspect there will be a lot of lawyers camped out at polling stations for this election. It is everyone’s democratic right to vote.”
Logan said many polling stations are being set up near care and residential homes to allow seniors easy access even with electric scooters, walkers or wheelchairs. She noted it’s now law that all polling stations be accessible.
“We’ve come a long way, baby,” she said. “But seniors will always find a way to vote.”
Logan hoped seniors would take advantage of early voting at advance polls, which were open Oct. 9 to 12. She advises seniors who have to vote on election day to go early to beat the crowds.
“Most seniors are pretty astute, and there are older seniors who actually fought for the vote,” said Logan. “And there are still women alive who fought for the vote so of course they’re going to be there.”
If you’ve moved or require information on where, when and how to vote, visit elections.ca.
