How to Vote Strategically Against the Wild Rose Party



April 18, 2012 by Personal

Well, here we are. With a provincial election looming over us and some rather daunting poll results, it’s unfortunately come time to vote for the lesser of the evils.

If you’re a young person, a progressive, a visual or sexual minority, or like a little more Canada and a little less USA in your local politics, you may want to start thinking about voting strategically against the Wild Rose Party.

I generally don’t agree with strategic voting as a viable means of enacting change. I’m also not the most politically educated person in town, to be sure, but I’m really weary of this impending Wild Rose surge and I simply encourage undecided voters who have liberal values to consider voting for the left-leaning party that has the best chance of taking a seat from WR in their riding.

This isn’t outright “strategic voting,” it’s kind of a hybrid. Of the parties that relate to your values, consider choosing the one that has the best chance of taking ground away from WR.

Here’s a great debate on CBC radio between Alvin Finkel, co-chair of changealberta.ca, and David Climenhaga, a political blogger albertadiary.ca and NDP supporter. http://www.cbc.ca/radioactive/episode/2012/04/19/should-you-strategic-vote/

I’m not going to try and convince you what your beliefs should be, but if you’re concerned about a Wild Rose win – I’m talking to you.

Here’s what you need to do if you want to fight for a progressive Alberta

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  • http://adrielmichaud.com Adriel

    That Change Alberta site is pretty optimistic about the ridings that can be swung.

  • hahaha

    I’ll be strategically voting *for* WR, thank you… 

    • http://nickpierno.com/ Nick Pierno

      I completely support your right to do that Mr. hahaha.

  • Pingback: How Strategic Voting Subverts Democracy | Divide By Zero

  • Sarah

    I like this idea much better than the “I Never Thought” video suggestion. Based on Change Alberta’s recommendations for my riding, it’s totally the person I’d vote for anyway. Hilarious.

    I still struggle with the idea of throwing my vote strategically based
    on an ‘expert’ panel who’s credentials resemble that of a conference
    bio. No disrespect to the folks at Change Alberta, or those who choose to vote that way. It’s a democracy and all.

    I guess at the end of the day, I’m an optimist. I hope that people who give a shit about a progressive government will make it happen by educating themselves and aligning with the person/party that reflects that. If not this time, then the next. And if that kind of change isn’t possible within our existing electoral system, then it’s time that people stood up for a real change. Not that I’m suggesting a coup or anything… yet!

    Also – 2,000 page views is insane (and awesome).

    • http://nickpierno.com/ Nick Pierno

      I thought so too! I posted it on reddit, which accounts for about half. But the other half are from facebook and twitter… which resulted in almost 300 likes. I’m not trying to boast, haha. I’m just genuinely flabbergasted.