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Between the Liberals and the Conservatives, the election is, as they say, too close to call. All the same the Decision Desk is ready to declare a winner: none of the above.

The Liberals are in the mid-30s in the polls, the Tories a couple of points behind. But if recent elections are any guide, 40 per cent or more of eligible voters will choose not to vote at all. Factor in the no-shows, and you can win a “majority” government in this country with the support of as little as 22 per cent of the electorate.

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Turnout has been falling for some time: from an average of roughly 75 per cent in the six federal elections after 1945, to an average of just over 60 per cent in the last six. Of course, it’s always possible this election may reverse the trend. It’s a close race, and the Conservatives are the kind of government that excites strong feelings both for and against. Advance polls, for what it’s worth, are reporting long lineups. But even if turnout were to rise to, say, 66 per cent — the highest since 1997 — that would still mean one in three voters couldn’t be bothered.