Elections Yukon report to look into sinking voter turnout in territorial elections

A voter is shown at a Whitehorse polling station during the Yukon election on Monday April 12, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Mark Kelly

WHITEHORSE — Elections Yukon is setting out to uncover why voter turnout in the territory has plummeted.

The territorial elections body says it’s launching a review to identify factors that may have contributed to a decline in voter turnout over the last two territorial elections.

Voter turnout in 2016 was 76.4 per cent, which dropped to 65.6 per cent in 2021 and fell further in the vote in November to 53.1 per cent.

Elections Yukon says in a statement that while there has been an increase in both population and voters over the past three elections, the actual number of voters has remained about the same.

The review will look at the way eligible voters are counted and factors which may have affected a person’s level of engagement, access, or interest in voting.

Elections Yukon wants to hear from the public on the issue and says a report will be submitted to the legislative assembly with the findings of the review and any recommendations.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 6, 2026.