WATCH ABOVE: A new poll by Mainstreet Technologies found if the byelection in Calgary-Foothills was held today the Wildrose Party would come out on top, but not by much. Global’s Gord Gillies reports.
CALGARY – A new poll suggests Alberta’s Wildrose party may narrowly win the upcoming byelection in Calgary-Foothills.
The poll from Mainstreet Technologies released on Friday asked residents living in the constituency who they would vote for if the election were held today.
Although the election is less than two weeks away, the poll suggests almost a fifth of voters are still unsure who they’ll cast a ballot for.
Mainstreet Technologies President Quito Maggi says the upcoming byelection is going to be all about turnout.
“With the parties currently polling so close together… this is going to be about who can bring the most voters out on Election Day.”
He adds that voter fatigue is likely to impact the election.
When area residents head to the polls on Sept. 3, it will be the third time in less than a year they’ve been asked to cast a ballot.
The electoral district was a Progressive Conservative stronghold for years, but has been without representation since former premier Jim Prentice resigned his seat shortly after he won the riding in the May 5 provincial election.
“This situation is unprecedented,” added Maggi. “I really cannot remember the last time residents have faced this many elections in such a short time span – while a Federal campaign rages on in the background.”
According to the poll, the most motivated supporters are those of the NDP and PCs, with 27 per cent and 24 per cent, certain to vote.
When asked what they thought was the most important issue in the byelection, almost half (45 per cent) said jobs and the economy.
“It should come as no surprise that the runaway issue is the economy,” said Maggi. “The price of oil continues to drop and unemployment numbers for Calgary and Alberta continue to rise.”
The poll from the national public research firm surveyed 543 Calgary-Foothills residents, and was released on Friday, August 21, 2015.
According to Mainstreet Technologies the poll carries an overall margin of error of +/- 4.18%, 19 times out of 20.
BELOW: See the complete poll from Mainstreet Technologies
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