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​Low Voter Turnout:​
Strengthening Participation In Local Democracy​

January 2023


Jörg Broschek


Preview Clip (Below)
Jörg Broschek presented four types of non-voter and the prospects for engaging each of them in the voting process. Prof Broschek identified 3 areas of reform - Education, Addressing social inequalities and inequities, and communication strategies. He was particularly critical of the lack of Indigenous participation in discussions of participation and reflected on the need to see voters and residents as not “just” taxpayers. The opportunity to re-engage voters through Citizens Assemblies is especially exciting. 
Read Event Report
Canadian voter turnout has been in a long decline since at least the 1960s. In a span of 13 months, Federal, Provincial, and Regional elections occurred in our region with turnouts of 62%, 45%, and 25% respectively. While elections and voting are not the only way to engage with government, the decline is undeniable and we should examine the reasons behind it and the future consequences should it remain low. Our speakers will look at turnout from academic and practical perspectives, applying their years of experience, and engaging with the audience.

Full Presentation Video (Below) 



​About Jörg Broschek


Jörg Broschek holds the Canada Research Chair in Comparative Federalism and Multilevel Governance and is Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at Wilfrid Laurier University. His research examines how regions, provinces and the federal level respond to economic and political challenges through reform and adaptation. He is a Fellow at the Balsillie School of International Affairs and serves on the Board of the Canadian Political Science Association (CPSA) as Secretary-Treasurer. Jörg is a passionate resident of Waterloo Region. He has been a member of Kitchener’s Active Transportation Advisory Committee (ATAC) and the Board of the Mount Hope Breithaupt Park Neighbourhood Association (MHBPNA) since 2021.
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“Declining voter turnout is a symptom of a deeper problem: A growing share of the population is not willing – or not able - to engage in key practices of democratic self-government. Widening representation gaps perpetuate democratic deficits. This is a multifaceted challenge and won’t be easy to fix in the short term. It is therefore crucial to create a space for debate through meaningful community engagement, instead of ignoring the problem and doing business as usual.”

- ​Jörg Broschek, Associate Professor of Political Science, Wilfrid Laurier University
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  • Home
  • VIrtual Series
    • 2025 Series
    • 2024 Series >
      • Searching for a Drug Strategy >
        • Report: Searching for a Drug Strategy
      • No Fixed Address >
        • Guest Speakers - No Fixed Address
        • Footage: No Fixed Address >
          • Full Video - No Fixed Address: A Talk About Homelessness and Encampments
        • Report - No Fixed Address: A Talk About Homelessness and Encampments
    • 2023 Series >
      • The Epidemic of Gender Based Violence >
        • Guest Speakers - The Epidemic of Gender Based Violence
        • Event Footage - The Epidemic of Gender Based Violence
        • Report - The Epidemic of Gender Based Violence
      • Renoviction - Righting the Reno-Wrong >
        • Guest Speakers - Renoviction - Righting the Reno-Wrong
        • Footage & Reports - Renoviction - Righting the Reno-Wrong >
          • Report- Renoviction- Righting the Reno-Wrong
          • Summary - Renoviction: Righting the Reno-Wrong
      • The Drug Poisoning Crisis in Waterloo Region >
        • Guest Speakers - The Drug Poisoning Crisis in Waterloo Region
        • Event Video Footage and Reports - The Drug Poisoning Crisis in Waterloo Region
      • The "A" Word: Unnecessary or Unavoidable? >
        • Guest Speakers - The "A" Word: Unnecessary or Unavoidable?
        • Event Video Footage and Reports - The "A" Word: Unnecessary or Unavoidable? >
          • Report - The "A" Word: Unnecessary or Unavoidable?
          • Event Summary - The "A" Word: Unnecessary or Unavoidable? >
            • Event Summary - Amalgamation
      • Low Voter Turnout: Strengthening Participation In Local Democracy >
        • Guest Speakers - Low Voter Turnout: Strengthening Participation In Local Democracy
        • Event Video Footage and Reports - Low Voter Turnout: Strengthening Participation In Local Democracy >
          • Event Summary - Low Voter Turnout: Strengthening Participation In Local Democracy
          • Event Report: Low Voter Turnout: Strengthening Participation In Local Democracy
  • Connect with Us
    • Media Releases & News Coverage