The mayors of Smithers and Tofino were both acclaimed so they’ve decided to turn their attention to a different type of election issue.
Smithers Mayor Taylor Bachrach says he and Tofino Mayor Josie Osborne have challenged each other’s communities to a voter turn out challenge.
“This is a light hearted approach to a serious issue across B.C.,” he says. “In local government elections, even though it is the level of government that affects people most in their daily lives, we see very low voter turn out rates. The average across B.C. in local elections is less than 30% in the 2011 elections.”
Bachrach adds the community that increases their 2011 voter turnout by the greatest percentage wins.
The losing town will have to write a song about the winner’s town and perform it with other community members.
The election will be held on November 15.