Many Windsor-Essex residents didn't turn out to vote. Here's a look at why

Voter turnout across Ontario may have fallen toa historic lowin Thursday's election, and in two Windsor-Essex ridings, turnoutwas even lower than the provincial average.

In Ontario, 43.5 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot, according to unofficial results with all but one poll counted.

In Windsor-Tecumseh, where Progressive Conservative Andrew Dowie was elected, 40.3 per cent of those eligible cast a ballot.

Just 33.3 per cent did so in Windsor West, whereNDP MPP Lisa Gretzky was re-elected.

In Essex, where PC candidate Anthony Leardiwas the winner, there wasa slightly higher turnout, at 47 per cent.

University of Windsor political science professor Emmanuelle Richezsaid a lot of factors can help explainlow turnout.

"For example, age and income and education. In Windsor West, you have a lot of students who don't necessarily vote. You also have some populations of lower income, and that can definitely impact participation rates," she said.

She also pointed to education, saying more needs to be done in elementary and high school. She believes community groups andpolitical parties have a role to play in getting people engaged as well.

She also said that voter apathy benefits incumbent candidates.

Luc Michaud,who was part of Windsor Morning's panel of voters under 40 andweighed in on various issues during the campaign, said there was a perception out there thatthe outcome of the election was a foregone conclusion.

"I feel like a lot of people just didn't feel like whatever they did at the polls was going to matter and that was the general consensus I got from people," said Michaud, who went on to say he doesn't agree with that position.

Amna Massoodi, who also participated in the panel, said people became toobusy in their own lives to pay attention.

"Maybe more interface with the community would have helped, door to door and stuff, but I know because of COVID they have to be kind of careful about that as well," she said.

"So definitely I think the people that wanted to find information, that were willing to take the initiative, they did despite the pandemic, and then the people that didn't want to, or didn't have the time to or didn't think about it, didn't realize what was happening, they just were left in the dust."

PCs turn Windsor-Tecumseh, Essex blue

The election saw the PCs make a historic breakthrough inclinching theridings of Windsor-Tecumseh and Essex, which traditionally have been represented by theNDP and Liberals.

In Essex, Leardi won by a landslide, with 51 per cent of the vote.

"The Progressive Conservative Party has not elected a representative in the riding of Essex for 60 years," he said Thursday night."That's six decades. Tonight, we turned Essex blue in 2022."

The riding was previously represented by Taras Natyshakof the NDP, who did not seek reelection.

In Windsor-Tecumseh, where longtime NDP MPP Percy Hatfield also stepped aside, PC candidate Dowie was successful among afield of 10candidates.

In reacting to the outcome of the vote in Windsor-Tecumseh, NDP candidate Gemma Grey-Hall referenced the low turnout, saying it's a reminder about the importance of education about our democracy.

"I think it's important that people know that they can make their voice heard through the ballot box," she said Thursday night.

"When you're looking at normally less than 40 per cent voter turnout, you start to think that people are disengaged and you wonder why."