So You’re Thinking of Voting in an Election

Nobody teaches you how to vote well. Maybe they should. You already know how to mark an X on a ballot. But do you know what you're actually voting for? Joel Grenz and Sean Wood — two City of Parksville councillors — break down the overlooked civics of actually choosing who to vote for. From how party slates and vetting work, to why big campaign promises are often a red flag, to the real reason politicians get accused of lying (hint: voters play a role), this is the honest conversation about democratic participation that doesn't happen often enough. Prompted in part by the current BC Conservative leadership race, and with a municipal election on the horizon, this episode is the flip side of a previous discussion, So You’re Thinking of Running for Local Government. Listen in for: Why 99% of local government across Canada is nonpartisan, and why that matters The real role of party vetting, and what happens when it goes sideways Why voting for promises might actually incentivise politicians to lie What to look for instead: character, résumé, trust, and your gut Why voter apathy costs everyone but why an imperfect vote still beats no vote Sean's challenge to every armchair critic with opinions but no nomination papers 👉 Subscribe, rate, and review on your favourite podcast platform. Find all our episodes at nonpartisanhacks.com and drop us a line.