WATCH AND LISTEN is the column from Bunbury Mail journalist James Taylor.
A state hopper, James has had the privilege of living in some of the best parts of Australia.
He likes the beach but doesn't eat seafood, enjoys the journey but prefers the destination and has handwriting like a doctor.
In his column James uses observation to write on topics that get people thinking.
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It’s time to talk about voting.
For most the prospect is not an exciting topic, especially for those in WA returning to the polls for the second time in six months.
But this column won’t be another about why voting is important, who to vote for and what it all means.
Instead, let us work out what type of voter you are.
There are three types of voters, each approaching the process in a different way.
Striding in first is the determined voter.
Determined voters know the game, know the players and aim to get in and out as quickly as possible.
A determined voter won’t take any notice of the campaign assistants congregating at a polling station entrance – they already know who they are voting for and can’t be swayed.
The determined voter will stand in line patiently, eyes forward and focussed on the task ahead.
Talking to a determined voter when they are in the zone is not advisable as they may think you are trying to change their mind.
When it’s their turn the determined voter will enter a booth and precisely mark their preferences.
Satisfied, they will exit the polling station in the same manner they arrived.
Stumbling into second is the dazed voter.
Unlike a determined voter, a dazed voter has little idea who the candidates are and what they stand for.
When they arrive at the polling station, a dazed voter will become easy prey for campaign assistants.
Characterised by a faraway or confused expression, a dazed voter will likely look lost and unsure of how they ended up in line.
Like a cat thrown in water, a dazed voter will cling to anything familiar for safety.
In the polling booth, a dazed voter will mark their preferences haphazardly, favouring the only names they know.
The ordeal over, the dazed voter will stumble from the building looking relieved.
In last place and not caring in the slightest is our third type - the casual voter.
Arriving at the polling station whenever they feel like it, a casual voter will loiter at the entrance for a while, half listening to campaign assistants explain the benefits of voting a certain way.
Growing bored, they will join the line and wait impatiently for their turn.
Inside the polling booth, the casual voter is likely to take the easiest option – voting above the line without method or not at all.
Pleased they won’t need to worry about a no-vote fine, the casual voter will leave as they came in.
As Western Australians fill polling stations across the state this Saturday, stop and think about which one of the above describes you best.
Is that the type of voter you want to be?
What do you think? What type of voter are you? Post your comments below.
