After the last provincial election, which had a turnout just above 50%, Elections BC commissioned a voter engagement survey. The most interesting data is about people who didn’t vote, although of course their responses can’t be trusted:

54% of non-voters believe their vote “matters” compared to 84% of voters. 43% of non-voters believe the outcome of the election had a “direct effect” on them compared to 70% of voters. 96% of voters believe it is important that people vote, but 76% of non-voters agree, 52% strongly.

Some highlights from non-voter responses:

Why didn’t you vote?

• 35% personal circumstances
  • 18% busy
  • 6% out of town but not out of province (BC has the most flexible absentee voting system in Canada, but not everyone knows that)
• 29% disengaged
  • 7% sceptical of politics
  • 7% didn’t like candidates
  • 7% wasn’t interested
  • 5% didn’t like parties
• 16% lack of knowledge
  • 9% didn’t know enough about platforms
• 7% pessimistic (the best reason not to vote)
  • 5% voting doesn’t matter
  • 2% outcome certain
• 6% forgot

What’s the #1 thing that could be improved?

• 26% education (no agency in BC has a mandate for voter education – Elections BC does it for the lolz)
  • 3% information about candidates & platforms
  • 1% more opportunity to meet candidates
• 16% voting process
  • 9% compulsory voting
  • 2% electronic voting
  • 2% online voting
• 7% change electoral system

What would make you more likely to vote?

• 34% different political parties
• 13% more campaign information
• 2% different candidates, platforms or issues
• 2% different political system
• 2% online voting