Editorial: Democracy depends on those who show up

“Under our form of government voting is not merely a right but a duty, and, moreover, a fundamental and necessary duty if a man is to be a good citizen,” US President Theodore Roosevelt said in late 1907.

All good citizens of Malta and Gozo today have the opportunity to prove they are good citizens.

Of course, the right to vote also gives one the right to choose not to vote or to even invalidate the vote. 

Many opt for this line of least resistance or throw in the towel, arguing their vote does not really matter. They blame the political system of shushing people like them out, leading to what is known as political inefficacy.

This trend has been rising along the years in various countries. Figures released by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development and the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance indicate that voter turnout across the world fell by an average 12 percentage points since the beginning of the 1960s. Turnout in democracies within the OECD dropped from about 75 per cent in the early 1990s to circa 65 per cent in the early 2020s.

Though Malta has long shown interest in joining the OECD but has not succeeded so far, it too has experienced falling turnouts at elections, though not as sharp. 

Over the past five general elections, turnout followed a downward trend: 95.7 per cent in 2003; 93.3 per cent in 2008; 93 per cent in 2013; 92.1 per cent in 2019 and 85.6 per cent in 2022.

In contrast, the number of invalid votes kept rising, bar in 2013 and 2017, when it remained unchanged. 

The figure stood at one per cent in 2003 and 2.9 per cent in the last general election.

Over the past five general elections, turnout followed a downward trend: 95.7 per cent in 2003; 93.3 per cent in 2008; 93 per cent in 2013; 92.1 per cent in 2019 and 85.6 per cent in 2022

And today Malta votes for the next government at the end of a short electoral campaign intended to bring out the vote.

Disengagement from the political system is not and should not be an option.

Voting has the power to prevent a bad situation from deteriorating further, protect institutions, defend fundamental rights and promote accountability. 

Across the democratic world, elections have ushered despotic leaders into power – leaving not only those who voted against them in distress, but also those who chose not to vote at all. 

And for the majority who intend to vote, it does not have to be an unquestioning exercise in party loyalty or family tradition. 

Voters can choose candidates who genuinely reflect their values, candidates who walk the talk rather than simply repeat slogans. 

Just because one has always voted for the same individual does not mean one must automatically do so again.

Voters can vote tactically; they can send a message within their own preferred party by rewarding candidates they respect, who stand for something, and rejecting those who do not.

Malta’s electoral system still gives voters more power than they sometimes realise. 

A ballot paper does not have to be an act of blind tribal loyalty. Voters are free to choose candidates across party lines and they are under no obligation to vote for every candidate from a single party. 

One can support a party while deliberately excluding candidates deemed unworthy of public office. 

One can reward integrity, competence and consistency while rejecting arrogance, opportunism or mediocrity. In that sense, today’s vote is not simply about choosing the next government, but also about shaping the kind of political class the country deserves.