During the last general elections in Quebec, in 2018, the participation rate was 66.45%. By way of comparison, in 1976, the participation rate was 85.27%. There are two theses about abstentionists: either they have lost interest in political life, or they do not feel challenged by the political parties present.
While many aspiring prime ministers have repeatedly promised electoral reform, […] it seems more than relevant to consider the blank vote in order to increase the participation rate and further democratize the electoral exercise.
In itself, the white vote consists of inserting an empty ballot into the ballot box as a form of political participation. It is distinct from the absentee vote, the absence of a vote or the null vote and the invalidity of the vote, insofar as it allows citizens to express general dissatisfaction. Several states, including Spain, the Netherlands, Peru, Tunisia and many others, now count the blank vote, which was conceptualized in the mid-nineteenth century.e century. In France, during the second round of the presidential election in 2017, nearly 10% of voters voted blank.
This means that almost one tenth of Quebecers are ignored.
It seems more than relevant that the Chief Electoral Officer of Quebec give serious thought to this measure to perk up the participation rate and listen to voices that would otherwise be ignored. Not only should he be counted and mentioned in the ballots, but he should also count for the determination of the vote.
To all political stateless people who, like me, are insatiable, the fight is not over!