Kitchener South-Hespeler, Cambridge expected to be 'horse races' in election, researcher says - Action News
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Kitchener South-Hespeler, Cambridge expected to be 'horse races' in election, researcher says

Two races in Waterloo region are considered too close to call by poll tracking websites, including one run by Wilfrid Laurier University associate professor Barry Kay.

Those races 'could go either way,' says Wilfrid Laurier University's Barry Kay

This map is from the LISPOP website that projects federal seats. The grey boxes are two ridings: Cambridge and Kitchener South-Hespeler and both are considered too close to call. The light blue is Kitchener-Conestoga while the two red in the centre are Waterloo and Kitchener Centre. Guelph is the red box to the right of the region and it's surrounded by the dark blue riding of Wellington-Halton Hills. These are just projections on Oct. 18 based on polls and not final results. (LISPOP)

The election races in Kitchener South-Hespeler and Cambridge are going to be "horse races" as voters head to the polls on Monday, Wilfrid Laurier University associate professor Barry Kay says.

Kay teaches political science and his research includes seat projectionsfortheLaurier Institute for the Study of Public Opinion (LISPOP) website.

The LISPOP site as well as the poll-tracking website 338 Canada say Kitchener South-Hespeler and Cambridge are too close to call.

"They could go either way," Kay said of those two races.

In Waterloo region, Kay said the races are mostly between Liberals and Conservatives "although there could be some surprises."

Polls don't matter to average voters

Kay was also asked about polls and how they factor into people's decision making.

"The average voter I don't think is paying much attention at all," Kay said of the polls, noting people who vote strategically may be more likely to look at the polls to make a decision on who to cast a ballot for in the election.

He noted there are websites like CBC's Poll Tracker, Laurier's own LISPOP seat projections and 338 Canada, but, he said, "I don't think most people go to those sites."

You can listen to the whole interview with Barry Kay on The Morning Edition here: