Disengaged?: Fixed Date, Democracy, and Understanding the 2011 Manitoba Election

Elections are a critical componenet of democracy, yet civic engagement has reached a post-war low in Manitoba. Barely half of all eligible voters showed up to vote in the last three provincial elections. Surveys show that many of these non-voters feel alienated from the political process, or have other priorities on Election Day. Of particular interest is the rate of turnout among youth, aboriginals, and immigrants. This important Canadian case study addresses the democratic deficit from a wide range of perspectives, providing scholars, observers, and citizens with an accessible account of politics and elections in Manitoba, while illuminating an issue that resonates across the country.