Healthy Democracy Sarnia-Lambton launches survey to tackle local civic engagement

A new community-led initiative is gathering data from Sarnia-Lambton residents to understand why people vote—and why they don’t—in an effort to build a more inclusive local democracy.

Healthy Democracy Sarnia-Lambton has launched a community-wide survey to better understand how residents engage with the democratic process. The initiative seeks to uncover the specific reasons behind local participation rates in elections and identify barriers that keep people from the polls.

The survey is a community-led effort focused on strengthening civic participation across the region. Organizers are looking for input on who participates in elections, who does not, and the underlying motivations for those choices. The data will be used to shape future education and community-driven strategies.

"Your responses will help shape future community-driven strategies, education, and initiatives that support a more informed, inclusive, and engaged democracy in Sarnia–Lambton," the group stated.

Eligibility and Participation

To participate in the study, residents must meet the following criteria:

• Live within Sarnia-Lambton.
• Be 18 years of age or older.
• You do not need to be eligible to vote to participate.

The survey takes approximately five to 10 minutes to complete. All responses are kept anonymous and confidential, with data reported only in aggregate form. The findings are expected to be shared publicly through social media and at a community Town Hall scheduled for later this year.

This project moves beyond simple voter turnout numbers to look at the systems that influence civic life. By gathering direct input from the community, the initiative aims to move past institutional talking points and focus on the lived reality of residents.

Participants who complete the survey have the chance to win a gift card. To enter, residents must email [email protected] with their name, contact information, and the completion code provided at the end of the survey.

Those interested in providing their input can access the survey directly at the following link: Healthy Democracy Sarnia-Lambton Survey.