Expert warns voters may be weary by the time N.S. election rolls around

Political scientist Alex Marland from Acadia University is urging the Nova Scotia government to take more action to boost voter engagement in order to reverse the trend of declining voter turnout in elections. Recent municipal elections have seen lower turnout, with only 55 per cent of eligible voters participating in the 2021 provincial election. In Halifax, voter turnout dropped from 43 per cent in 2020 to 37 per cent last month.

Marland believes that Elections Nova Scotia’s decision to forgo mailing out voter information cards due to a possible postal strike is counterproductive. He argues that everything possible should be done to inform and engage voters, especially in a time when voter apathy seems to be on the rise.

In smaller local jurisdictions like Victoria County and the Town of Annapolis Royal, efforts to attract candidates and encourage voter participation have been successful. In Annapolis Royal, biographies of candidates were posted on the municipal website, and internet and telephone voting options were made available to make voting as convenient as possible. These efforts led to a voter turnout of 64 per cent.

Similarly, Victoria County utilized videos on its website to educate voters on the role of elected officials, resulting in a voter turnout of 61 per cent. Despite these successes, voter engagement remains a challenge in larger municipalities like the Cape Breton Regional Municipality, where turnout dropped from 51 to 48 per cent despite the implementation of a hybrid voting system.

Marland suggests that voter burnout from recent elections and global news coverage, as well as the lack of local media outlets, could be contributing to voter disinterest. He emphasizes the importance of public education campaigns and efforts by Municipal Affairs to ensure a thriving democracy in the province.

While the Department of Municipal Affairs oversees the Municipal Elections Act, it has stated that addressing voter turnout is the responsibility of individual municipalities. Marland believes that more support and guidance from the provincial government are needed to promote voter engagement and ensure a strong democratic process.

In conclusion, Marland stresses the importance of providing voters with the information they need to make informed decisions and participate in elections. By taking proactive steps to engage voters and promote democratic values, Nova Scotia can work towards reversing the trend of declining voter turnout and fostering a more engaged electorate.