Turnout at advance polls for the federal election jumped by about 25 per cent compared to the 2004 election, but an expert warns that it's no indication what's to come on election day.
According to preliminary figures, 1,561,945 people voted in advance polls for the Jan. 23 election. That is 313,000 more Canadians than cast ballots at advance polls in the 2004 election.
“A lot of Canadians took this opportunity to vote early,” said Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Jean-Pierre Kingsley in a statement Wednesday. “I appreciate the efforts of the election workers who dealt with the heavy turnout, and the patience of voters who coped with long lineups in some places to make sure their choice counts in this election.”
Polling stations were set up on Friday Jan. 13, Sat. Jan. 14, Monday Jan. 16.
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Grace Lake, a spokeswoman for Elections Canada, said she attributes the increase to voter's concerns of what the weather would be like on election day.
“The whole purpose of advanced polls is provide the voters with more options,” she said. “Usually nine out of 10 voters vote on elections day, however.”
Every province and territory experienced some increase in early ballots, with PEI recording the largest percentage increase with nearly 11,250 people voting, up from 6,891 in 2004, an increase of nearly 63 per cent. Newfoundland recorded the smallest increase with only 1.7 per cent more ballots being cast than in the last election.
Despite the high turn out, University of Toronto political science professor Nelson Wiseman warns of reading anything into the higher turnout.
“They signify absolutely nothing in terms of election turnout,” Mr. Wiseman said. He attributes the jump in numbers better promotion and more people knowing about the polling stations.
He said previous elections have demonstrated that advance polls are no indication of how high or low turnout will be in an election. Ms. Lake said Elections Canada data supports his claim.
“We've been mislead in the past by the reports from poll workers and the media,” Mr. Wiseman said. “Most people already know who they are going to vote for. A lot of people decided a lifetime ago.”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060118.wpolls0119/BNStory/specialDecision2006
According to preliminary figures, 1,561,945 people voted in advance polls for the Jan. 23 election. That is 313,000 more Canadians than cast ballots at advance polls in the 2004 election.
“A lot of Canadians took this opportunity to vote early,” said Chief Electoral Officer of Canada, Jean-Pierre Kingsley in a statement Wednesday. “I appreciate the efforts of the election workers who dealt with the heavy turnout, and the patience of voters who coped with long lineups in some places to make sure their choice counts in this election.”
Polling stations were set up on Friday Jan. 13, Sat. Jan. 14, Monday Jan. 16.
Advertisements
Grace Lake, a spokeswoman for Elections Canada, said she attributes the increase to voter's concerns of what the weather would be like on election day.
“The whole purpose of advanced polls is provide the voters with more options,” she said. “Usually nine out of 10 voters vote on elections day, however.”
Every province and territory experienced some increase in early ballots, with PEI recording the largest percentage increase with nearly 11,250 people voting, up from 6,891 in 2004, an increase of nearly 63 per cent. Newfoundland recorded the smallest increase with only 1.7 per cent more ballots being cast than in the last election.
Despite the high turn out, University of Toronto political science professor Nelson Wiseman warns of reading anything into the higher turnout.
“They signify absolutely nothing in terms of election turnout,” Mr. Wiseman said. He attributes the jump in numbers better promotion and more people knowing about the polling stations.
He said previous elections have demonstrated that advance polls are no indication of how high or low turnout will be in an election. Ms. Lake said Elections Canada data supports his claim.
“We've been mislead in the past by the reports from poll workers and the media,” Mr. Wiseman said. “Most people already know who they are going to vote for. A lot of people decided a lifetime ago.”
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060118.wpolls0119/BNStory/specialDecision2006
