Junior Chamber Ireland Donegal are a local youth group for 18 – 40 year olds, made up of members who want to improve themselves and the world around them.
They feel that voting in the local election on the 23rd of May is of the utmost importance and would encourage anyone who is registered not to waste their vote.
Wasting a vote can come in two forms, one not voting at all, and two voting without being educated on the candidates or what they stand for.
JCI Donegal carried out an independent survey on the local election on their Facebook page.
The results found that 92% of the respondents (aged 18-34) were registered to vote, however 15% were not going to use their voting privileges.
JCI Donegal president Emma Boylan commented “A great way to improve the world around us is to vote. Voting for candidates that are tackling issues that are important can change the world for the better. I would encourage anyone who is thinking of not voting to reconsider.
“One vote can make a difference. One candidate can make a difference to our community and the wider world. However, education is also key. I would urge the people of Donegal to learn what the candidates are standing for and to vote for those they feel represent their needs.”
Results from the survey also found that the issues respondents would like addressed were health care, jobs, taxes and local development to name a few.
JCI Donegal would like to remind young people that the only way for the issues they care about to be addressed is voting for the right person to deal with them.
A lot of young people are highly informed on politics and each candidate. However some young people may feel they do not know enough about the election candidates to make an informed decision. They may therefore chose not to use their vote or vote without being fully informed.
As Election Day draws closer JCI Donegal would ask voters to educate themselves on the candidates and the issues. Young people can be educated on the issues by the candidates themselves on the doorstep.
JCI Donegal would also suggest reading the newspapers, listening to radio or TV candidate debates. In local elections, it can be very effective to pick up the telephone and speak to a candidate. Most candidates have embraced the digital world, look at their websites, their Facebook pages etc. Message them on these platforms and find out who to vote for.
Every vote can make a difference, JCI Donegal asks the people of Donegal to make a difference on the 23rd of May by using their vote but also to learn about the candidate’s stances and find out whose beliefs are in line with theirs. In the words of past JCI member; “The margin is narrow, but the responsibility is clear” and “The ignorance of one voter in a democracy impairs the security of all.” – John F. Kennedy
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