By Vanessa Ybarra

TRU retired prof not surprised by low voter turnout

Oct 1, 2017 | 11:14 AM

KAMLOOPS — Twenty-one per cent of people turned out to vote in Saturday’s by-election.

Retired TRU political studies instructor Ray Pillar says he isn’t surprised by the number.

“Voter turnout for general elections is typically around 30 per cent, so for just a little by-election and as confusing as this one was, I’m not remotely surprised it got a low turnout,” said Pillar.

Pillar says the high number of city council candidates didn’t help the situation.

“You’ve got 21 people to consider, it’s more than the average person is going to do frankly,” said Pillar. “They’ve got lives of their own to run so they don’t spend enough time on the current council issues and candidates platforms. It’s still very disappointing when you think 90 per cent of the issues that affect us direcly come about from local government.”

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As dismal as voter turnout was, Pillar says there’s the possibility it could be a positive sign.

“There’s always the argument that people think the city’s being run relatively well and so they’re not really concerned about it. If you’re more or less content with things you’re not going to put a lot of effort in seeing it change or seeing it continue, you’ll just go along for the ride.”