An Angus Reid survey shows that the federal Liberals benefited the most from strategic voting in Monday’s federal election.
Angus Reid says while the struggling Liberals may not have captured the most votes or secured enough seats for a majority, new data confirms they were able to successfully persuade enough voters to back them, rather than support another party which may have helped to elect the Conservatives.
The post-election survey re-canvassed voters who were still pondering their options, even into the waning days of the campaign. The institute says among those who voted strategically, most chose the Liberal Party.
Nearly one-quarter (or 23 per cent) of late deciding voters surveyed said although they were leaning towards one party, they changed their minds and voted for another in the end. 23 per cent of late deciding voters say they left their decision for the final day, while another 12 per cent say they settled on their candidate in the last couple of days.
Green Party and NDP voters were most likely to say their vote was based on party policies. 52 per cent said they supported their candidate based on their party’s policies, while 42 per cent said they disliked the alternatives more.
METHODOLOGY:
The Angus Reid Institute conducted an online survey from October 21 – 22 among a representative randomized sample of 1,587 Canadian adults who are members of Angus Reid Forum. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/- 2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20. Discrepancies in or between totals are due to rounding. The survey was self-commissioned and paid for by ARI.