SASKATOON – While Saskatoon voters prepare to head to the polls in less than a week, one political expert is cautioning against the strategic vote movement.
“These are truly competitive races in all three ridings,” said Greg Poelzer, political studies professor at the University of Saskatchewan.
Saskatoon’s three new federal ridings are seemingly up for grabs, after the Conservatives swept the former ridings in 2011. The boundaries now include a more urbanized demographic.
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In the weeks leading up to election day, advocacy groups like Vote Together and Lead Now have been trying to organize a strategic vote – specifically against the Tories. They call on people to vote not for their preferred party, but rather, the party with the best chance of beating the Conservatives.
“In our own ridings in Saskatoon, I really doubt it’ll make much difference than one per cent of the vote. I think it’ll actually be inconsequential,” said Poelzer.
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Instead, Poelzer said strategic voting could end up hurting the viability of the Green Party, which could miss out on subsidies.
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