Freeland Says Non-Voters Could Decide St. George as He Targets Turnout Boost

ABLP candidate Michael Freeland says the outcome in St. George could hinge on voters who stayed home in the last election, arguing that mobilising that group could be key to winning the seat on April 30.

Speaking during a “Know Your Candidates” interview, Freeland pointed to turnout data from the 2023 general election, where the constituency was decided by a narrow margin. The United Progressive Party won the seat by 141 votes — 2,146 to 2,005 — in one of the country’s most closely watched races.

Freeland said a deeper look at the numbers reveals a larger opportunity.

“If you look at the stats… you’ll see close to 1,500 persons did not vote,” he said. “And I can assure you that 80% of that 1,500 are Labourites.”

He argued that his campaign has been focused on reaching those non-voters directly in the months leading up to the election, both in person and through digital platforms.

“I believe I would have pleaded my case,” Freeland said. “I believe I would have shown these individuals who have not voted that I am the man for the job.”

Freeland said his outreach efforts have been extensive, claiming to have engaged with thousands of eligible voters across the constituency.

“I’ve seen over the last four or five months of active campaigning, I’ve seen over 5,000 individuals who are eligible to vote in this upcoming election,” he said. “That just goes to show you that I’m making an effort to ensure that the persons not only hear me, but they see me.”

He added that his campaign has also relied on phone calls, WhatsApp messaging and social media to reach voters who may not have been previously engaged.

“For those who have not seen me, I’ve at least made communication with them via phone or via WhatsApp, social media, and that sort of thing,” he said.

Freeland expressed confidence that those efforts will translate into turnout on election day.

“I’m confident that they will come out and say, ‘Listen, we’re going to give this guy a chance,’” he said, adding that the size of the constituency — with more than 6,000 voters — makes turnout a decisive factor.

St. George is expected to be one of the key battleground constituencies in the April 30 general election, with both major parties targeting undecided and previously inactive voters in the final days of the campaign.