Getting my driver’s license a few years ago was the highlight of my teenage years. I finally felt like I had the keys to freedom—able to go wherever I wanted, whenever I wanted—and, most importantly, to venture downtown to hang out with friends. But driving in Montreal quickly humbled me. Construction cones seem to multiply overnight, and finding parking is a literal nightmare. My friends and I always complain about how overpriced parking is, and joke that it’s easier to get a parking ticket than to find a free spot.

But it turns out, small frustrations like these are not random. Instead, they are shaped by one thing that rarely crosses most students’ minds: Municipal elections. Many, like myself, tend to fixate on the federal and provincial elections that dominate the headlines. Federal elections determine national leadership, while provincial elections shape healthcare, education, property and civil rights, and more. However, the decisions that affect our daily lives and community—including parking spots—are made at the municipal level. And yet, very few vote. 

In Montreal, the last municipal election in 2021 saw a turnout of a mere one-third of Montrealers, with younger constituents dragging this number down. Among those aged 18 to 35, only 29 per cent voted, and among those aged 18 to 24, only two out of 10. These numbers are shocking considering how municipalities are our closest level of government. City-wide administrations maintain more than 60 per cent of infrastructure and are responsible for a wide range of services, including road maintenance, community programs, waste management, land use, environmental protection, law enforcement, social services, local public safety, and what we love most in winter—snow removal. 

Many young people don’t vote because they believe their vote will not make a difference, and others simply ignore the importance of municipal politics. However, choosing not to vote cedes power to others, leaving decisions about your city’s priorities, your environment, and your quality of life in the hands of people you did not elect. 

Exercising your right to vote is what sustains a truly representative democracy. It gives you the leverage to advocate for issues you care about, while also holding leaders accountable to push for policies that reflect your community’s needs. Concerns about bike lanes versus parking spots, rising populations of unhoused people in the city, food insecurity, and housing initiatives, among many others, fall under municipal responsibility. While complaining about the inadequacies of Montreal’s city government is easy, voting is the first and most important step towards actually addressing them.

Moreover, voting is a civic duty that must not be taken for granted. In many countries, individuals are still fighting for the right to vote and participate in free and fair elections, often risking their lives to have a say in how they are governed. Right now, 38 per cent of the global population lives in countries classified as democratically ‘not free.’ And though Canada may now have free and fair elections, this critical democratic structure came only after decades of advocating for women’s suffrage, voting rights for non-property owners, suffrage for the incarcerated, and the abolition of race-based limitations on electoral participation. By voting, you honour the efforts of those who fought for democratic rights and ensure that decisions affecting your city, community, and daily life reflect your voice.

This year, municipal elections are on Nov. 2nd, and voting will take place at your local polling stations. The date to register for voting has already passed, so if you are eligible and on the list, go vote. Especially given that municipal voter turnout is alarmingly low, it is more true than ever that every vote counts. If you haven’t had the chance to register for these municipal elections, take this as a reminder for next time—whether it’s in Montreal or your own city—to use your voice and help shape your community for the better. Complaining won’t fix the city, but voting just might.