BU Professor Kelly Saunders

An Associate Professor of Political Science at Brandon University doesn't expect any surprises coming out of Tuesday's provincial by-elections.

Voters will be electing new MLA's in Arthur-Virden and Morris constituencies.

Kelly Saunders notes these are already Tory strong holds and the final results may reflect nothing more than traditional voting patterns.

“Usually by-elections are a chance to express their happiness or more often than not displeasure with the sitting government” said Saunders. However in this case she says both constituencies are strongly held conservative areas and that could translate into increased Tory support of even more votes for the Liberals.

Saunders notes the Liberals had a strong showing in the Brandon-Souris federal by-election and some of that could spin off into more votes for the Liberals. “Another factor could be Leader Brian Pallister has made some missteps recently and that could turn off some voters.”

That could make voters think they don't support Pallister and will vote Liberal because they aren't happy with how the NDP is governing.

When it comes to issues impacting the votes Saunders feels there are some key concerns with Manitobans. “There's a lot of frustration over the p.s.t. increase and that issue isn't going away. Also infrastructure, water and sewer issues. As you move closer to the Morris area flood protection is a a concern for those voters.”

Saunders feels access to health care is also a priority issue with rural voters.

Polls are open Tuesday between 7:00am and 8:00pm.