Why voter turnout for the Ontario election could be the worst ever

In the 2011 Ontario election, only 49 per cent of Ontarians bothered to vote in the provincial election — a record low.

If you thought that was bad, it's looking as if it could be even worse this time around.

A statement issued by Elections Ontario, on Monday said that voter turnout at the advanced polls fell by six per cent this year, compared to the last election.

While advance voting statistics aren't necessarily a strong indicator of E-day patterns, two prominent pollsters suggest it could be a harbinger of things to come on Thursday.

Abacus Data CEO David Coletto says that a large segment of the population have told them that they're simply not paying any attention.

"My sense is that voter turnout is going to be low again and possibility lower than last time. Despite a really close race, which would normally boost turnout, voters seem very disengaged and disinterested with the election," Coletto told Yahoo Canada News.

"They are also highly dissatisfied with all the parties and leaders at the moment. 50 per cent of eligible voters told us they are dissatisfied with the choices in the election."

Ekos Research pollster Frank Graves gives more weight to Coletto's second point.

"Rather than being disengaged an unusually large group of voters have been caught in genuine indecision based on an inability to choose between what are seen as flawed options," he told Yahoo.

"I think a lot of voters think that the Liberals don’t deserve re election. Many of those same voters aren’t really impressed with the [Progressive Conservatives'] lower taxes, less government equals prosperity and jobs argument either.

"So this strong conflict may produce somewhat lower turnout as those voters pass at the choice between a rock and a hard place."

Graves adds that the PC and Liberal 'get-out-the-vote' machinery will really be tested on Thursday.

[ Related: A minority government looming in Ontario as Liberals and PCs are neck and neck ]

There's another reason that people might not vote on election day: The World Cup of Soccer.

As explained by CBC News, the once-every-four year mega-event begins at 4 pm on Thursday with a match between Brazil and Croatia.

"The attraction of a high-profile soccer match stands to distract thousands of fans from heading out to vote right after work," notes the article.

"Add in a couple drinks during the game, the camaraderie at the local bar, the post-game euphoria or misery, and many of those fans might never make it to the polls."

For those that choose to vote, polls open at 9 a.m and close at 9 p.m.

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