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Every civic election deserves a post-mortem. The most recent trip to the polls is no exception. There are several key takeaways from that democratic process as it unfolded in ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼×ÊÁÏ.

'After voting day, however, the choice is over. Collectively, we have decided that the winners will be our leaders for at least four years, even if we didn’t actually vote for those candidates.'

'The ballots have been cast, and the preliminary ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼×ÊÁÏ civic election results are in. It’s time to review the ambitious mission statements the members of our newly elected municipal council have submitted for public consumption. '

'I cringe as I drive down my street in the weeks before the election. Sidewalks strewn with cheap plastic signs, fighting over each other for the ideal position to be seen by passersby.  And there’s not just one politician’s sign per street corner, but as many as they possibly can squeeze in.'

While we can finger-point and try to shame non-voters, it seems to us it is time to admit the way we have been doing politics at all levels is not working.

Political cartoonist Ingrid Rice takes aim at the low voter turnout in local elections on Oct. 15. ÀÏ°ÄÃÅÁùºÏ²Ê¿ª½±¼Ç¼×ÊÁÏ's turnout was 41%.