Get out to vote: What will it take in a winter Ontario election?

With one full week to go before voting day, Elections Ontario is working to reverse a recent downward trend in voter turnout, which set a record low of 43 per cent the last time Ontarians went to the polls in 2022. 

That election happened in June.

As a contrast, this vote is set to take place on Thursday, Feb. 27 in the midst of what continues to be a stormy winter in most regions of the province. This week's snowstorm in southern Ontario led to widespread road closures, hindering political canvassing efforts in the areas north of London. 

It's enough to give some voters an excuse to sit this one out. However, Elections Ontario spokesperson Greg Flood said there are multiple ways to vote in this election, and contingency plans are in place should rough weather strike again on voting day. 

"We're trying to make voting in Ontario as easy as possible for all Ontarians," he said. "We do recognize there could be weather challenges in the future, but we're going to adapt and adjust to those to make sure we're taking the necessary steps to ensure people can cast their ballot on the 27, or during the advanced voting period." 

In 2022, voter turnout was low in London's three central ridings: 

CBC News spoke shoppers at White Oaks Mall on Wednesday about their voting plans. The south London mall is located in London-Fanshawe. 

Larry Wright, a retired hospital worker, said he's not yet decided if he's going to vote. He said he'd be motivated to cast a ballot if he heard a good plan from any candidate on how to deal with economic uncertainty caused by tariffs threats from U.S. President Donald Trump. He's worried about the auto industry in particular. 

"A lot of the men and women that work for those companies could be out of a job, and those are good paying jobs," he said. 

Michael Clayton said he won't be voting because he doesn't like any of the options. "I'm just further left than most of the candidates," he said.

Eric Simon, 25, said he's committing to casting a ballot on Feb. 27, but he's not yet made a decision.

"There's a lot of uncertainty these days with rising costs of everything," he said. "We need a sense of certainty and someone who can put us on a path. That's not the kind of decision you can make on a whim. You have to put as much thought into that as you can." 

Amy Brydges, 30, said she's motivated to vote because she's been unhappy with the current PC government. 

"The past administration has made some decisions that have really not been beneficial to me," she said. "So I want to get my voice out there in what little way I can and say 'No, this is not good.'"