Highest voter turnout since 1993
On Oct. 19 the Canadian federal election saw its highest voter turnout in over 20 years.
In this year’s election, roughly 68.5 per cent of eligible voters in Canada cast their votes, with the Liberals coming out on top. In the Windsor-West area, 55 per cent of the eligible electors voted which is almost seven per cent higher than the 2011 election. These numbers do not include voters who registered the day of the election.The Conservative Party of Canada lost roughly 220,000 votes from the previous election but the Liberal Party of Canada amassed over four million new voters.
Political analyst Lydia Miljan said she believes Liberal supporters from previous years felt disenfranchised with the party because of previous scandals. With youthful Justin Trudeau, Miljan said the supporters were given hope for the future of Canada.
“That will depend,” said Miljan when asked if the increase of voters will be an ongoing trend for future elections. “Are the Liberals going to live up to expectations? Are they going inspire people to be hopeful? Or are they going to be mired in scandal like every other government we’ve ever had?”
John Bezaire being interviewed after casting his vote at the Immaculate Conception Catholic School on Monday, Oct.19, 2015. Bezaire said he voted because he believes his vote makes a difference.
(Photo by Sean Frame)
Elections Canada predicted a high turnout of voters the week prior with their advance polls and the numbers from those were to be consistent with the Oct. 19 results.
Voters had various reasons to cast their votes on Oct. 19. Annette Rennie’s reason was simple, she said she votes every year because she is Canadian.
“In a lot of countries they don’t get that option,” said Rennie fresh from the polls. “I feel voting is very important and I want my vote to be heard.”
Richard Simpson has lived in Windsor his whole life, but said he has never voted before this year. Simpson said this year he is casting his vote because he wants change.
It is believed the high turnout is partially due to the Liberal’s platform of helping the middle class and having an honest government, according to Miljan. Miljan made the comparison of this year’s election to when President Obama took office in the U.S.. When he first took office he was able to increase voter turnout, but when defending his title his numbers had dwindled. Whether this indicates a future of dedicated Canadian voters or just a diamond in the rough, only time will tell.
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