Professor recommends debates, social media to increase voter interest
While the Battlefords-Lloydminster by-election enticed only 27 per cent of eligible voters to get out and vote Monday, an educator says there are a few strategies to help increase voter turnout for any election.
Joe Garcea, a University of Saskatchewan political studies professor, said having more public and polictical events and a better use of social media could increase voter engagement.
“Generally, voter turnout in by-elections is quite low,” said. “In general elections, it tends to be definitely above 50, but is generally 60 or 70 per cent in some cases. It’s never a surprise to find the voter turnout in by-elections tends to be a quarter or one-third at the most.”
“I think generally there isn’t that much attention devoted to them, unlike a general election where people feel that perhaps their vote in their constituency might make a significant difference in the standings,” he added.