Historically low voter turnout? - Let's not blame the electorate.

Low voter turnout in local council elections often leads to finger-pointing at non-voters.

Recently, in my hometown of Tauranga Moana, it seems only about 38% of the electorate bothered to cast their ballots in the local council elections. The quick reaction might be to call these folks lazy or indifferent, urging them to "just blooming well pull their finger out!" But this knee-jerk response overlooks deeper, systemic issues contributing to the lack of engagement.

Blaming non-voters is an oversimplification. It misses underlying causes like inadequate communication and a lack of transparency from councils. Engagement is a two-way street; it's not just about citizens participating but also about councils making a genuine effort to connect with their communities. When local governments fail to clearly communicate their actions, plans, and the impact of their policies, they inadvertently create a sense of disconnection and apathy among voters. This disengagement often isn't due to a lack of interest in civic duties but rather a lack of understanding of the council's role and its influence on everyday life.

Take Tauranga City Council, for instance. The "Vital Update – Tauranga" project aimed at understanding the community's needs and aspirations invited Tauranga's roughly 120,000 adults to participate in a digital survey. However, only about 6,000 people responded—just 5% of the eligible population. Such a low response rate makes the data acquired questionable at best and completely unrepresentative at worst.

It's crucial to consider the role of the councils in this apparent lack of engagement. Are they making themselves accessible and relatable to the average voter? Are they actively engaging with diverse groups within the community? The focus should shift from blaming non-engagement to critically evaluating how well councils are fostering an inclusive environment that encourages participation. This involves not just outreach but also education, ensuring that all citizens understand how they can influence their community's future.

Improving voter turnout and engagement should be part of broader social improvement efforts.
Instead of targeting specific demographics, which can often feel divisive, councils should aim for whole-society engagement. This approach emphasizes the importance of every community member's voice, regardless of background, age, culture, ethnicty, socioeconomic status or any other of the 39 and more diversities that make up our populations. It's about building a culture of participation where everyone feels their input is valued and impactful.

Centralising around community diversity is another key aspect. Local governments should embrace the full spectrum of their communities, recognizing and celebrating differences as strengths collectively. By doing so, they not only improve voter turnout but also create more resilient and responsive governance structures. When people see that their local government reflects their diversity and listens to their concerns, they're more likely to participate.

In conclusion, the issue of low voter turnout in local elections is a complex one that requires reflection, introspection, and action from both the electorate and councils.
Rather than blaming non-voters, it's essential to understand the barriers to engagement and work collectively towards a more inclusive, informed, and participatory community.