SASKATOON – It’s the night before the federal election and tensions are growing on Parliament Hill. Here in Saskatoon, some voters have yet to make up their minds.
“I haven’t decided yet. I’m kind of leaning toward the Liberals but I still have to make up my mind. I’m not 100 per cent sure,” said undecided voter Kerri Young.
University of Saskatchewan political studies professor Greg Poelzer says about 15 per cent of the population is still contemplating.
IN DEPTH: Full coverage of the Federal Election 2015
“By this point, especially after Thanksgiving I think most of the vote is locked in … There is probably still 15 per cent of the electorate that haven’t decided where they’re going to land. Really, they are going to decide the moment they step into the ballot box.”
New constituent lines have been drawn in the city and it is a tight race.
“In Saskatoon in particular that 15 per cent is critical. It is going to decide who will win and lose in this election,” says Poelzer.
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With new polls out, some Canadians are choosing to vote strategically, opting for a second choice to avoid an outcome they don’t want.
“Whoever had the better chance, I’d like to see win. I do have a preference of what I would like. But I’ll be happy with either or,” said resident Travis Latsay.
Poelzer says voters are paying attention to what is happening nationally and it’s having a strong ripple effect.
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“Voters are looking at the Liberal momentum, especially the more strategic voter and the voter deciding where to land. In a place like Saskatoon I do expect to see a shift to the Liberals because it looks like they’re going to be forming government. You also see a similar pattern occurring in Quebec.”
The good news is that we’ll only have to wait one more night to find out who will be the prime minister of Canada. In the meantime, some Saskatonians will be up late contemplating an important decision.
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