I have been concerned for some time around the number of women I hear say they have no interest in voting or don't feel they know enough about the political platforms in Canada to vote intelligently.

I wrote the following blog post back in September 2008 during the last federal election pleading for women to get out and exercise their right to vote. http://www.wincanada.org/blog/archives/why-women-should-vote/

This election I have chosen to post a bit of a rant on my Facebook status, hoping to encourage more women to have their voice heard. I'm attaching my status updates here for those of you who haven't befriended me on Facebook.

May 1 - Check out the history of women representing Canadians in parliament. Women in parliament live in a male-dominated environment. Make sure you honour the women who, past and present, work hard for a better Canada by going out to vote tomorrow. Read the Federal Election Trivia attached. How many did you get right? http://www.parl.gc.ca/parlinfo/compilations/electionsandridings/triviawomen.aspx

April 27 - Women are more engaged in the political process this election. Well done! Keep it up. Don't forget to vote on May 2. We can change the landscape of Canada and bring issues important to women to the table.

April 18 - Read the history of Women and the Vote. Think about how hard women fought to make you a person, allow you to have a voice and make your vote legal. Question what these same women: Nellie McClung, Emily Murphy, et al might say to you if you don't vote. Don't let the lackluster Canadian politics keep you from exercising your right. How would you feel if you lost the right to vote? Now go & vote! http://www.elections.ca/content.aspx?section=res&dir=his&document=chap2&lang=e#27

April 16 - Ladies go and vote! In 1918 women gained full voting rights in federal elections. In 1919 women gained the right to run for federal office. The voter turnout in 2008 dropped to the lowest percentage of registered voters ever recorded for a national election in Canada. Let's make this election the highest voter turnout for women ever! http://www.sfu.ca/~aheard/elections/women.html

April 14 - Please put this as your status if you are a Canadian woman who believes in affordable childcare, support for aging parents, more women in politics, an end to violence against women & children, equal rights for women and an end to poverty. On May 2 let's have the highest turn out of female voters in herstory. Ensure your voice is heard!

As I said in my 2008 post, women fought long and hard to acquire equal voting rights for all women. Think for a moment how totally miffed you would be if the right to vote was taken from you. Now go on line and research each of the party platforms to be find the party that best looks like your Canada. Or research what your local representatives are offering through your local papers and make your decision that way. If you can't decide you can log on to http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/canadavotes2011/votecompass/
and see how your opinions stack up with the parties on Vote Compass, although be forewarned there has been some controversy around this tool.

Whatever method you use to decide please make sure you take the time out tomorrow to go and vote! Make sure your voice is heard!