Blake Ellis/Local Journalism Initiative

Helen Cole wants to know why fewer people are voting in municipal elections.

Across Ontario, only 32.9 percent of eligible voters marked their ballot in the 2022 municipal election – an historic low. 

The picture was a bit different in Lambton where 53.6 per cent of Brooke-Alvinston voters cast a ballot and the lowest turnout was just shy of 40 per cent.

Cole, the founder of the Jean Collective, recently attended a rural healthy democracy forum where the concern of the low voter turnout was discussed. The Jean Collective was founded to encourage more women to run for political office, has now expanded to examine why the voter turnout has decreased. 

“I see things that need to be done, so I just so them,” said Cole who is behind the Healthy Democracy – The People’s Table being created.

The first the group wants gather information on why people are not voting. A survey was created and is available on The Jean Collective website and Facebook page. Voters can participate until May 1. Cole hopes the survey will help uncover how who participates in elections and who does not and the reason behind those choices. 

Cole says community meetings are in the works in Petrolia and Forest after all of the results from the survey are compiled hoping to find ways to encourage people to vote.

“There is mistrust at every level,” said Cole, as one of the reasons for the decrease in voter participation. She also pointed to the amount of misinformation in politics. 

Cole, who previously served on the St. Thomas City Council for nine years, said for those thinking about running in the upcoming municipal elections in October, she encourages them to put their name on the ballot. 

“You don’t have to be perfect,” said Cole. “You can learn as you go.”  She said women often have to be asked five to seven time before they become a candidate. This is often because women don’t believe in themselves, said Cole.

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