After my shift ended, I came home feeling as bedraggled as I looked. That night, however, when I watched the election coverage and Whitlam won comfortably, I felt as if I owned a tiny bit of that result. I doubt my efforts changed a single vote, but it didnβt matter, and it still doesnβt. I made an effort, and thatβs the point.
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After that, I stopped volunteering for elections for many years. Mostly because I got busy and was far too cool to wear a daggy T-shirt and accost strangers. It wasnβt until I ran for the Senate myself β in 2022 for the Reason Party in NSW β that I once again realised the enormous value and contribution of those prepared to roll up their sleeves and do the boring work required to support our democratic process.
In 2025, I was not a candidate, but I volunteered for one. I did not do much: an afternoon door-knocking, handing out some flyers, a corflute on the fence, and some donations. Many of my fellow volunteers did much more. But I am glad I participated in a small way. Win or lose, I would do it again.
I would encourage everyone with the time and energy (the number of volunteers who are older members of the community is quite compelling) to step up for the candidate of their choice. Democracy cannot be something people take for granted or, worse, feel is useless or foisted upon them. Democracy thrives when people get involved and recognise that if we want to keep our government β of whatever stripe β by the people and for the people, then the people need to get involved.