Saint John voters showed up in larger numbers for the recent municipal election. Voter participation increased by nearly three percent compared to the last cycle. According to Your Saint John, the Human Development Council points to competitive races and pressing local issues as the main drivers behind this boost at the polls.

A Step in the Right Direction

Overall voter turnout in Saint John hit 37.4 percent. This is a 2.8 percentage point jump from the 34.5 percent seen in 2021. The numbers approach the 38 percent turnout recorded in 2016. Randy Hatfield, executive director of the Human Development Council, sees this as a positive shift.

“Turnout rate in municipal campaigns is very low in Canada, and New Brunswick is no exception, and Saint John is no exception,” Hatfield said. “But it seems voter turnout rate in Saint John has almost returned to 2016 level, so it’s trending in the right direction. It’s moving up and I’m glad for that.”

What Brought Voters to the Polls

Several factors pushed residents to cast their ballots on May 11. Saint John featured a competitive three candidate mayoral race between incumbent Donna Reardon, Councillor Barry Ogden, and business owner Blaine Harris. The city council race also saw significant turnover, with five out of ten incumbent councillors stepping down.

Hatfield noted that the results indicate a push for change. Incumbent councillors Mariah Darling and Paula Radwan lost their seats. Meanwhile, mayoral challengers Harris and Ogden combined for more votes than the reelected mayor.

“If you look at the data, you could probably argue that there was a level of dissatisfaction or frustration that drove more people to the polls this time,” Hatfield added.

Neighborhood Differences

Turnout varied heavily depending on where you live in the city. Ward 1 led the pack with a 47.8 percent turnout. Ward 2 saw 37 percent, and Ward 4 reached 36.1 percent. Ward 3 recorded the lowest participation at just 28.4 percent. Ward 3 includes the lower west side, the South Central Peninsula, and Waterloo Village. These areas face higher poverty rates.

“The literature suggest that people on low incomes don’t vote as often as folks who have more money,” Hatfield explained.

In contrast, Ward 1 voters rallied around specific local concerns. Opposition to the proposed Beacon AI data centre became a major flashpoint.

“The data centre issue I think that probably propelled one of the ward councillors to victory,” Hatfield said. “It certainly had a large turnout when we did municipal forums for the ward.”

Frequently Asked Questions

What was the voter turnout in the recent Saint John election?

Voter turnout reached 37.4 percent, which is an increase from 34.5 percent in 2021.

Which Saint John ward had the highest voter turnout?

Ward 1 recorded the highest voter turnout at 47.8 percent, driven largely by debates over a proposed data centre.

Why did voter turnout increase?

Experts link the increase to a competitive mayoral race, open council seats, and strong public interest in local issues like housing and the Beacon AI data centre.