In municipal elections across Ontario, local turnout often hovers around 25% to 30%. That means in a community like the County of Brant—with approximately 31,000 eligible voters—roughly 8,000 to 9,000 people cast a ballot. While thousands of residents make their voices heard, the vast majority of eligible voters choose not to participate.
At BrantVotes, our goal is non-partisan coverage that keeps local democracy accessible, transparent, and engaging for everyone. But to build a better election process, we need to understand the barriers holding voters back.
The Common Reasons Behind Voter Absenteeism
When talking with residents across Paris, St. George, Burford, Oakland, and our rural communities, several recurring themes emerge when discussing voter turnout:
- “I didn’t know enough about the candidates.” Unlike provincial or federal elections with major party platforms and widespread media campaigns, municipal candidates often rely on door-knocking, small lawn signs, and local social media. Finding reliable, unedited candidate platforms can take extra effort.
- “I felt like my single vote wouldn’t change anything.” Municipal races are often won or lost by slim margins. In local wards, council seats can be decided by as few as 50 to 100 votes. Local government directly impacts day-to-day life—from roads and property taxes to recreation facilities, emergency services, and local growth.
- “Life got too busy on Election Day.” Balancing work, family, and daily schedules can make visiting a polling station feel like a challenge. Knowing where and when advance voting or online/mail options take place can significantly lower this barrier.
- “I don’t feel connected to municipal politics.” When local government decisions feel distant or overly complex, it is easy to tune out. Breaking down municipal topics into plain-language updates helps show why local decisions matter to everyone.
Help Us Make Local Democracy Work for Everyone
We want to hear directly from you! What kept you from voting in past municipal elections, and what would make it easier for you to participate this time around?
- Leave a comment below or join the discussion on our social media pages.
- Catch up on Candidate Discussions: Watch our in-depth interviews with local candidates on YouTube.
- Follow BrantVotes: Subscribe to BrantVotes: The Podcast and follow us on Facebook and YouTube to stay updated.
- If you know someone who didn’t vote in the last election, Send them this post, we would love to hear from them.
