If advance polls are an indication of voter interest in the upcoming Saskatoon civic election, the city could experience its highest turnout in years.
Almost 15,000 people voted in advance polls last week, according to Saskatoon’s returning officer Catherine Folkersen.
“We saw a 50 per cent increase in voter turnout over the advanced polls in 2012,” Folkersen said.
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She also pointed out that in 2012, 81.5 per cent of voters cast their ballot on election day.
“If we have a similar scenario, if that’s how it sort of breaks down, then we should end up with about 75 or 80 thousand voters on election day this year.”
Folkersen wouldn’t guarantee that Saskatoon will see an increase in voter turnout. However if the 2012 trend holds true, it would mean more people will cast ballots this election than in 2012 (66,497), 2009 (46,511) and 2006 (60,380).
University of Saskatchewan political studies professor Joe Garcea said he believes Saskatoon will have a voter turnout rate of more than 40 per cent, which would also be higher than recent elections.
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He said his prediction is based on the public’s high level of interest in the mayoral race.
“I think it has captured people’s imagination and I think there’s been a certain amount of either appeal or antipathy toward certain candidates as well,” Garcea said.
“People have been engaged, a lot of people are talking about it.”
Garcea said the fact that recent polls show a tight three-way race for mayor will also help drive voters to the polls.
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However he cautioned that turnout could simply come down to convenience.
“I think that as long as people are assured that the weather’s going to be fine and that the lineups are not going to be too bad, people are likely to be more encouraged to turnout.”
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