THUNDER BAY — The northwestern Ontario electorate was less engaged in the 2019 federal election than it was in the previous election in 2015.
Elections Canada data shows that voter turnout in area ridings fell by between 12 per cent and six per cent, depending on the electoral district.
That's despite the fact the turnout in the advance polls in all three ridings was higher than in the 2015 election.
The advance poll turnout is often considered an indicator of overall voter engagement in an election.
An Elections Canada spokesperson speculated that Monday's rain and windstorm in Thunder Bay may have kept a number of voters from travelling to their polling station.
None of the area ridings achieved the nationwide election turnout of 66 per cent of eligible voters.
THUNDER BAY-SUPERIOR NORTH
Eligible voters who cast ballots – 64 per cent (70 per cent in 2015)
Advance poll turnout – 11 per cent increase over 2015 advance poll
THUNDER BAY-RAINY RIVER
Eligible voters who cast ballots – 61 per cent (67 per cent in 2015)
Advance poll turnout – 11 per cent increase over 2015 advance poll
KENORA
Eligible voters who cast ballots – 60 per cent (72 per cent in 2015)
Advance poll turnout – 3 per cent increase over 2015 advance poll
Candidates for the Liberal party won the most votes in each of the Thunder Bay-Superior North and Thunder Bay-Rainy River ridings, while the Conservative candidate received the most votes in Kenora riding.
