Vote Fail

(Originally posted on http://www.kj360.ca)
More than a few of us are upset with the way the system of “democracy” is working at the SFUO.

Some people were talking about scratching their ballot, not voting, or writing in candidates as a way to show protest. However, I have a better idea. In order to affect any type of change, there needs to be a consorted effort of solidarity among those who are unimpressed. Thus, KJ360 is spearheading the first ever “Vote Fail” Campaign! Next week I will be distributing stickers with this image:

If you are in Social Sciences and you are not happy with the way “democracy” exists at the SFUO than I encourage you to get one of the stickers and place it on your ballot. Wanna help with this campaign? Give me a shout (ken@kj360.ca) and we’ll figure something out! All individuals have a right to spoil their ballots, it is akin to having a noted abstention. However, when you abstain from voting in an election such as these, there is no method of documenting it. By joining “Vote Fail” you are able to be a documented dissenting vote.

And now for a little but of political ranting:

This campaign is not about the quality of the candidates running for the seats, this campaign is about the way the system is currently working. By doing nothing, there is no way of changing the system. If you are a student who feels alienated from/by the SFUO, this is a campaign for you as well. All too often students who want to see significant change get discouraged because they come up against too many roadblocks. As someone who has watching the SFUO/BOA for a year now from the other side, I can tell you these roadblocks do exist, and they are hard to triumph over.

Let me put it this way: when we have a 1% voter turnout the results are seen as legitimate. The idea of political capital is seemingly non-existent at this level. It is argued that because the other 99% chose not to vote, it signals their acceptance of the results. But what if a large portion of the non-voters were mobilized? But mobilized to change the system. To break the walls. To dethrone the ruling “cliques.” It will be hard to call results legitimate and ratify them if there are more “Vote Fail” ballots than legitimate one.