Plurality Think Current System of Voting A-OK

Toronto, March 8th – In a random sampling of public opinion taken by The Forum Poll™ among 1,340 Canadian voters, (45%) support the Federal Government’s decision to keep Canadian voting procedures the same. (38%) do not support the move, while (17%) do not know.

Those most likely to support the decision to keep the current system of voting include those aged 65 and over (54%), living in Manitoba/Saskatchewan (52%) or Alberta (53%), supporting either the Liberal (54%) or Conservative (53%) Party. The least educated (50%) and those with some college or university (51%) are also likely to support the move to keep voting the same.

Respondents most likely to be opposed to keeping the current system of voting include those aged 34 or less (46%), earning $100,000-$250,000 (44%), living in BC (44%), supporting either the Green Party (59%) or NDP (58%). Those with post-graduate degrees (46%), or a college or university degree (44%) are also likely to oppose the decision to keep voting procedures the same.

“The plurality of people surveyed favour keeping the current first past the post system; still, almost four-in-ten disagree with the decision keep it, so it’s not an expansive margin. It will be worth watching to see if the opposition can use electoral reform as a wedge issue to drive voters away from the Liberals,” said Dr. Lorne Bozinoff, President of Forum Research.

Lorne Bozinoff, Ph.D. is the president and founder of Forum Research. He can be reached at lbozinoff@forumresearch.com or at (416) 960-9603.