Really Necessary

A few weeks ago, you received your polling card for the local council elections on 18 March. It included a note from me: an invitation to come and vote.

As mayor, I am responsible for ensuring that the elections run smoothly – that they are well organised and that the count is conducted fairly. Of course, I don’t do this myself; we employ highly professional staff for this purpose, who work on it all year round. But I am administratively responsible for the democratic process; that’s how it works. I therefore know first-hand that your ballot paper is in the best of hands. Otherwise, I wouldn’t dare urge you to go and vote!

Last time, about half the people didn’t vote. Much to my regret. I really hope that this time, lots of people in Apeldoorn will vote.

I hope so, for a few reasons.

The first is that non-voters are effectively saying: ”I don’t care. You decide for me.” But of course, there’s a fairly good chance that decisions will then be made that you’re not happy with. That you’ll subsequently feel you haven’t been heard. And that’s not good for trust.

The second reason why I think it’s so important is that, as a society, we can only move forward if we do so together. Otherwise, it’s not a society at all. And of course, there are other ways to get involved besides voting once every four years. But to run the local council effectively, and to make decisions that have broad support, we need everyone.

So Apeldoorn needs everyone’s vote. Including yours and yours. Really.

Ton Heerts