A recent poll indicates that Bonnie Crombie is in the lead in the Mississauga mayoral race ahead of Carolyn Parrish, Alvin Tedjo, and Dipika Damerla as the municipal election approaches on Monday. Crombie has garnered 35% support among decided and leaning voters, followed by Tedjo at 31% and Parrish at 28%, according to a Liaison Strategies Mississauga Tracker survey released on Thursday. Damerla is polling at 4%, with 2% of respondents favoring another candidate.
David Valentin, a principal at Liaison Strategies, characterized the race as very close based on the latest numbers. He noted that voter sentiment seems divided, indicating uncertainty about the outcome. Valentin emphasized the importance of Election Day, stating that any of the top three candidates could potentially win if favorable turnout conditions materialize.
Valentin highlighted the significant decline in Damerla’s poll numbers from the previous survey, with Crombie and Tedjo each gaining five points and Parrish dropping by one point. The survey, conducted from October 19 to October 20, sampled 1,000 Mississauga residents using interactive voice recording (IVR) technology, with results weighted to align with 2021 census demographics.
The campaign has played a pivotal role in shaping voter perceptions, according to Valentin. Damerla’s support dwindled following her criticisms of Tedjo’s stance on police budget increases during a mayoral debate on September 25. Similarly, Parrish faced backlash for derogatory remarks aimed at Crombie during a debate on October 1, with Parrish later expressing regret for her comments.
Tedjo has experienced a notable surge in popularity leading up to the election, as observed by Valentin. Myer Siemiatycki, a professor emeritus of politics and public administration at Toronto Metropolitan University, characterized the race as highly competitive, with any of the candidates having a chance to win on Monday.
Notably, Mississauga has seen a record-breaking advance voter turnout, with over 44,000 ballots already cast, representing a 57% increase compared to the previous municipal election. Siemiatycki attributed the heightened early voting participation to the intense competition in the mayoral race, fostering greater civic engagement.
In comparison, Brampton has reported an eight percent increase in early voter turnout, with nearly 25,000 residents having already voted. Siemiatycki anticipated a lower overall voter turnout in Brampton relative to Mississauga due to the lesser contentiousness of the election. Both Siemiatycki and Valentin advised caution in interpreting advance voting figures, as they may not necessarily correlate with the final voter turnout on election day. Residents often opt for early voting for its convenience and flexibility, which may not reflect their participation on the official election day.
