Murphy’s Logic: Timing, voter cards, apathy caused low turnout in N.S. election [Video]

With a nod to Charles Dickens, provincial elections in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia this fall have produced a tale of two turnouts.

It wasn’t exactly the best of times when 66 per cent of New Brunswickers voted in October … but it most certainly was the worst of times when only 45 per cent of Nova Scotians voted a month later – the lowest turnout ever.

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In two provinces with so many things in common, this is a notable difference. In New Brunswick, a clear majority voted; in Nova Scotia, a clear majority didn’t.

We need to look at why. 

A voter turnout with a perilous drop to below 50 per cent may be explained in part by the timing of the election – it was eight months early and held in late fall. There was also a complete lack …