When folks in Brandon-Souris vote in the Federal election in less than three weeks' time you will probably not hear the complaint that there was a lack of choice.
With the deadline to register as a candidate having passed earlier in the week, a grand total of eight candidates are to be featured on the ballot in the riding:
- Ashley Duguay (NDP)
- Rob Eastcott (Independent)
- Vanessa Hamilton (Independent)
- Terry Hayward (Liberal)
- Rebecca Hein (Christian Heritage)
- Rob Lussier (People’s Party)
- Larry Maguire (Conservative)
- Bill Tiessen (Green)
The Brandon Sun examines the wide field in a story in today’s paper while also exploring possible reasons for what’s said to be a Brandon-Souris field of candidates equaled in size in the riding's history by only 1993. The eight also represents the most in any Manitoba riding in the upcoming vote.
For voters within Brandon itself, the choice runs in stark contrast to last year’s municipal election where the Mayor race saw the acclamation of its sole candidate, two city wards acclaimed councillors and the rest featured at most two candidates. It was that lack of choice that many blamed primarily for the election’s embarrassing 16.86% turnout.
More recently, September’s provincial election saw all ridings feature at least three candidates and more typical levels of voter participation (Brandon-East, three candidates and 45.68% turnout. Brandon-West, four candidates and a 51.27% turnout. Spruce Woods, four candidates and a 56.75% turnout).
This year’s federal election is on Monday, October 21 with advanced voting taking place between October 11 and 14. More on where and how to vote can be learned at https://www.elections.ca