Voter apathy among Jamaicans appears to be getting worse, if the reactions to the local government election in a section rural St Andrew is anything to go by.

In the 2020 General Election, 37 per cent of voters cast ballots, the lowest number since 1983.

This issue seems still to be evident in Stony Hill, St Andrew as residents show little or no interest in voting at either the municipal or government level. The residents appear indifferent toward elections, some citing the lack of change or effective representation over the years for their despondence.

Two poignant questions were asked to various residents of Stony Hill, St Andrew between the ages of 19 and 58:

Are you planning to vote come Monday’s local elections?

“I’m not leaving my house to go vote for nobody. Furthermore, is it general elections already?” (58)

“I don’t even know what local elections are… how is it different from regular elections?” (31)

“Complete waste ah time, mi not even know a wah dat.” (19), “Young people nuh business bout dem supn deh.”

Who is the current councillor for Stony Hill?

“What yuh asking me? I have lived here for over thirty years and I have never seen a councillor doing anything here to know name or face.” (58)

“I have no clue, I believe it is a woman though— A Labourite, but mi nuh sure of her name.” (31)

“Wrong person yaa ask— mi see her face pon the flyers on the light post though.” (19)

Similar answers were given when asked about who their Minister of Parliament (MP)was or who the previous councillors and MPs were.

After receiving such jarring yet elucidative answers, the need to get a better understanding of where this failure of knowledge stemmed from only grew. The lack of care to vote was somewhat understandable, however, the disinterest in elections, government, and voting rights was shocking, to say the least.

It was clear that the failure led back to formal schooling.

When asked about the Social Studies curriculum and whether or not it thoroughly covered government, a principal for a secondary high school, who also wished to stay anonymous, said: “The younger folks only thinking about today, not tomorrow that much. They do not understand their rights and responsibilities, so they forfeit it altogether.”

“Social Studies is mandatory up to third form, and optional at 4th, 5th and 6th. Government is covered in the curriculum,” the school principal explained.

Either way, it is clear given the 2020 election statistics, that voter apathy is not confined to Stony Hill, St Andrew. Even on the trip to work on this day of local elections, the streets were barren of persons dressed in green or orange. The excitement was not apparent, at least, along the route from Stony Hill to Half-Way tree.

The consensus is that people, young and old, have little faith in their elected representatives.

The councillor for Stony Hill, West Rural is Tosha Schwapp while the MP for St Andrew West Rural, the constituency in which the community falls, is Juliet Cuthbert-Flynn.