The municipal election is just over a month away, but according to many people around the city, it appears the civic election is not at the forefront.
“I’m not up to date with current events so I will leave that for people who have more knowledge than I do and more wisdom on that subject,” Kevin Markwelt admitted.
“(What is the likelihood) that I will cast a vote? Zilch. Zero,” he said.
Markwelt’s story isn’t isolated. In the 2012 municipal election, voter turnout was only 33 per cent.
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According to University of Regina’s Tom McIntosh, that level of interaction is common among municipalities across Canada.
“It’s pretty standard across the country,” McIntosh said.
The political science professor said local issues aren’t sexy, and especially when compared to provincial and federal issues.
“Everybody likes to complain about potholes and all of that, but you’re not going to march onto city hall,” he explained.
According to McIntosh, candidates running in local politics run as independents. It’s a stark contrast to the provincial and federal level where candidates run under a brand of a party.
“People are dealing with less resources. You have less signage, less advertisement being taken out. There’s no radio or television ads,” McIntosh explained.
This civic election will be the third-time voters head to the polls in the span of one year. However, McIntosh thinks voter fatigue doesn’t necessarily mean voter apathy.
“I’m not so sure it’s fatigue as just the reality of municipal politics. Voters will have to actively seek out information about the campaign, about the candidates and the like,” he said.
“There’s only a small percentage of voters who are that interested in politics that they’re willing to put that extra interest in.”
Around the University of Regina campus, students said they’re eager but unsure. According to Jermain McKenzie, president of the University of Regina Students’ Union, young people are still very new to the world of politics.
“Voter turnout is low. A lot of people don’t see the difference between whoever is in government,” McKenzie said.
“The silence is deafening.”
McKenzie said the students’ union is in contact with Elections Regina. He said they hope to facilitate a candidates forum to help fill any blanks students may have.
“Voter apathy is a real threat to our democracy and society and as students, I feel like we are the vanguards of democracy,” he said.
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