Vancouver's informed electorate: Voter knowledge in the 2005 municipal election

This study explores why some voters might Ibe more knowledgeable about civic issues than others. It employs exit poll data from the 2005 Vancouver civic election to examine how voters inform themselves during local elections and to suggest viable alternatives for increasing the overall level of voter knowledge within the Vancouver electorate. Survey data indicate that members of the city's voting population are generally well-informed of their electoral choices in civic contests. Statistical analysis demonstrates that more informed voters tend to be: homeowners; of lower income; Caucasian; newspaper readers; radio listeners; knowledgeable of their local programs and services; those who engage in regular political discussions; and those who were contacted by a candidate or representati~e of a candidate during a campaign. This study suggests that Vancouver's municipal government should continue its current practice of distributing information to voters through print ~nalerials, advertising, and its election ,services webpage.