42 reasons to vote in #elxn42

Wab Kinew has voted in every election since he turned 18. Last weekend, the author and associate vice-president of indigenous affairs at the University of Winnipeg was one of approximately 3.6 million Canadians who cast a ballot at an advanced poll. Why does he vote? “Every time I cast a ballot I think of the older generation in my community which was denied the right to vote until 1960 and it makes the action all the more significant,” he tells Maclean’s. “Voting is perhaps the most foundational of all our democratic rights. Exercising those rights so that we can safeguard them for the future is more poignant than ever given the tenor of this campaign.”

On Monday, Oct. 19, millions more will go to the polls to decide the future of this country. Earlier this week, we asked our readers: Why do you vote? Here are 42 of the reasons to vote in #elxn42, courtesy of our readers using the hashtag #WhyIVote.

My great-grandmother was nearly 40 by the time women were allowed to vote in Canada. I don't ever want to take that for granted. #WhyIVote

— X Steph C. (@sieenns) October 15, 2015

Because my great-grandfather fought for our freedom and so that I can have a say in the future of this country for my daughter. #WhyIVote

— Sandra 🇺🇦❤️ (@buymeavowel) October 15, 2015

https://twitter.com/Om_Troy/status/654511440443740160

Because I love seeing the look of surprise on the poll workers' faces when someone under 30 walks in #WhyIVote @MacleansMag

— Tessia 🦉 (@siesta_WILLS) October 15, 2015

I vote because it is my right to have a say on who is leading this country #WhyIVote https://t.co/BhDXpf45sv

— Craig Colpitts (@CraigColpitts) October 15, 2015

https://twitter.com/Trishkoning23/status/654646759612780544

This is my Canada. I love it beyond words and reason. Why would I not take responsibility for it? #WhyIVote @MacleansMag

— WheezySmurf, History Ninja (@snoopmary) October 15, 2015

Because its our Canadian duty to help choose who leads our beautiful, courageous, and humble nation #WhyIVote

— Carruthers Team (@carruthersteam) October 15, 2015

It's fun. You, as one Canadian cast one wee vote and you join millions, the dam to hold the river or the river breaking the dam #WhyIVote

— Taibhse 👻🖖 (@Coimin_T) October 15, 2015

https://twitter.com/TerriChu/status/654711051104026625

https://twitter.com/srckean/status/654724663273099265

#whyivote – because its bred in the bone, I am steeped deeply in democracy

— Sandra Chamberlain (@ChamberlainSand) October 14, 2015

https://twitter.com/ProfTucker/status/654650979946655744

https://twitter.com/travisjudegrant/status/654648858178293760

#whyIvote it is my responsibility as a citizen of Canada, it is a right we must never lose #cdnpoli

— John Ryerson (@jryerson1) October 16, 2015

https://twitter.com/Ot1986/status/655016233134260224

@MacleansMag #WhyIVote Because a country is a community and I am a citizen. #elxn2015 #elxn42

— 📚Lara Maynard🫐 (@MaynardLara) October 15, 2015

https://twitter.com/MrMattBritton/status/654389767262466048

#WhyIVote it gives me the right to complain about the government until the next election

— Ruth Sol (@Redonda) October 15, 2015

@MacleansMag I vote because it's a privilege and I am mindful of so many in this world who do not have the privilege. #whyIvote

— Elizabeth Prosser (@prossel) October 16, 2015

@MacleansMag #whyivote Because I can, and because then my small voice can condone, criticise or question my elected government's actions.

— Carla (@CmacLT) October 16, 2015

@MacleansMag people have died around the world for this one day every 4 years. I am not going to let it pass me by #WhyIVote #elxn42

— Colton J. Chacalias (@Colton_chac) October 16, 2015

https://twitter.com/Paslladini/status/655015584250372096

#WhyIVote 🌎🌏🌍wide many cant Im a woman, of colour & I care about the policies of our gov't enough 4 my voice heard. https://t.co/EdkyUU3rF6

— Kerry-Ann DP (@Kerry_anndp) October 16, 2015

@MacleansMag #WhyIVote? I'm a masochist who thrives on disappointment.

— Dirty Swagger (@Dirty_Swagger) October 16, 2015

https://twitter.com/edify8/status/654343695861436417

@MacleansMag #WhyIVote I've always voted. Used to go to polling stn with parents as a kid and they always had me mark the X. Started young.

— Tyler (@tyl3r1) October 14, 2015

@MacleansMag Because I believe a collective decision can change things #WhyIVote

— C’est Meow (@lemonygelato) October 15, 2015

https://twitter.com/PaulGregLeroux/status/654709355950948352

#WhyIVote? Why not?
As a Canadian women I have the right to vote. Many people don't even get the chance to vote – appreciate it!

— Natasha Ewing (@Tasharei) October 15, 2015

I vote because I can! Not everyone is as blessed as us Canadians are. #WhyIVote

— Karen McIntyre (@lilkarenm) October 15, 2015

I feel empowered #WhyIVote https://t.co/Rl4XL8jqvQ

— HOWL❤️ KeepCanadaRed🇨🇦🇺🇦🇮🇱🏳️‍🌈 (@chewinglass) October 16, 2015

https://twitter.com/MarieCBeres/status/655009954210914304

#WhyIVote To enact change and show leaders that the #youthvote matters! @MacleansMag #elxn42 #cdnpoli #imagineoct20th

— Emily Boiteau (@_emboslice) October 16, 2015

https://twitter.com/ItsRyanClayton/status/654349283471155200

as a way to mark the end of each disappointing, crushing, childish, ceaseless election season. #whyivote

— Mathewmatical (He/Him) (@Mathewh) October 14, 2015

.@MacleansMag I vote because it matters. I vote because my children need to know it matters. #WhyIVote

— Corinna Bittle (@CorinnaBittle) October 14, 2015

https://twitter.com/cheaty/status/654304725974691842

#WhyIVote Because ONE voice, ONE person can make a difference in bring about LOVE and POSITIVITY to an ENTIRE nation.It starts with ONE.

— MakingMeMatter (@makingmematter) October 14, 2015

I vote to protect my rights and the rights of marginalized people @MacleansMag #WhyIVote

— Tania Carranza (She/Her) (@taniacarrz) October 16, 2015

People my age are dying for the privilege I have. I'm not going to throw it away. #WhyIVote

— Mary* (@nocturnal_mary) October 14, 2015

@MacleansMag #WhyIVote: It's the cost of democracy and all things considered it is a bargain.

— Mr Wilson (@turnipmangle) October 16, 2015

So why do you vote? Keep tweeting @Macleansmag, using the hashtag #WhyIVote, or share your reason in the comments below!