Voter turnout dropped by nearly 10% for the 2024 provincial election
The 2024 general election in Nova Scotia saw a significant decrease in voter turnout compared to the previous election, which took place during the COVID-19 pandemic. According to unofficial results released by Elections NS, voter turnout for the 2024 election was 45.3%, down nearly 10% from the 2021 election.
Historical data provided by Elections NS shows a steady decline in voter participation since the 1980s. Turnout in the 1960s and 1970s was relatively high, but it began to decrease in the 1980s and has continued to decline ever since. The lowest turnout recorded was in the 2017 election, with only 53.4% of eligible voters casting a ballot.
The pandemic election in 2021 saw a turnout of 55.1%, with some voters citing concerns about COVID-19 as a reason for not participating. However, the 2024 election turnout was even lower, raising questions about the factors contributing to this decline.
One possible explanation for the low turnout in the 2024 election is the early call for the election by Premier Tim Houston. With only one month to campaign, the PC Party led by Houston was overwhelmingly popular, leaving little room for the other parties to make an impact. This may have discouraged some voters from participating, knowing the likely outcome of the election.
Voter turnout varied across different districts, with some PC and NSNDP-won districts seeing lower than average turnout. The lack of voter information cards, due to a decision by Elections NS to forgo mailing them out, may have also contributed to the low turnout. This decision was criticized by senior advocacy groups and politicians, who argued that it made it more difficult for voters, especially seniors, to find out where and when to vote.
The reasons for the record low turnout in the 2024 election are still unclear, but factors such as the early election call, lack of response to political policies, the expected surge in support for the PC Party, and the absence of voter information cards are all worth considering. As the 2024 provincial election concludes, it will be important to analyze these factors to understand the impact on voter participation in Nova Scotia.
