"Those numbers are atrocious."
That's the feeling of Swift Current Mayor Al Bridal when looking at the voter turnout for the city's municipal election last week.
Only 2,957 people out of what the city said were 15,171 eligible voters cast their ballot. That's a voter turnout of 19.5%.
Bridal did note the number was likely impacted by not having a mayoral election.
"Myself being acclaimed, I know I looked back at the records the last time there's a mayor acclaimed there's only about 3000 voters came out," he said. "Last time (in 2020) I ran against the incumbent mayor and that gets a little more excitement. About 3000 came this time and 4500 last time. This time we had 20% and last time there's 27%. Both those numbers are atrocious. Even forthe provincial election we had 53%, which isn't great."
4,450 people voted in 2020 when Bridal ran against former Mayor Denis Perrault. Only 3,173 people voted in 2012 when Jerrod Schafer was elected by acclamation.
Bridal's frustration is heightened by the impact he believes municipal politics can have on people's lives directly.
"This form of government, municipal government, we're the closest to the people," Bridal said. "People can phone myself, they can phone the councillors. You can't phone Premier Moe and ask them about the number one highway. He doesn't answer your phone call. People phone me and ask me about Central Ave. and I answer their phone call. It is disappointing. What can we do more other than have a very controversial council? If it's controversial (you) get more people out. Without that controversy, you can look at it several ways. Some people say apathetic people, other people say they're very comfortable with what you've done so why change a good thing?"
He doesn't feel a low turnout impacts the strength of council's mandate.
"I'm not a glass half empty, I'm a glass half full," Bridal said. "80% of the people didn't vote, so in my mind they gave me the authority. Only 20% voted, and I guess they all voted for me. I had 100% of the vote... I believe that gives us a mandate to do what we feel is correct for our citizens."
Bridal and his new city council have their first full meeting next Monday.