Voter apathy feared to be a concern in provincial election

While we are now just two weeks away from finding out the next provincial government, fears about voter apathy are brewing.

Cold Lake mayor Craig Copeland says it is concern he sees.

“I think my biggest concern is apathy,” Copeland told Lakeland Connect. “I hope being in our riding will come out and vote regardless of what party they support, because we don’t have a lot of people that come out to vote.” 

The key battleground appears to Calgary in the provincial race between Danielle Smith and Rachel Notley.

In the Bonnyville-Cold Lake-St. Paul riding during the 2019 election, 66 per cent of eligible voters cast ballots in the riding, with David Hanson winning 73 per cent support.

In fact, the 2019 general election was the highest total turnout since 1968 at 68 per cent.

But after COVID, will all the politics in people’s lives help or hinder the poles?

“We’re very polarized left and right,” said Copeland. “I think we take it for granted our rights. And so I’m hoping that we’ll get a big lift. I think it’s going to be a very close race.” 

The forum season locally continues with Bonnyville tonight between UCP candidate Scott Cyr and NDP candidate Caitlyn Blake. Alberta Party candidate Glenn Andersen is not believed to be in the running.

Cold Lake will play host at the Lakeland Inn on Tuesday night.

Both forums will be livestreamed on Lakeland Connect.