By Natasha Bulowski, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Low voter turnout in its leadership race reflects the multiple challenges the federal Green Party has faced in recent years, political scientists say.

The tumultuous tenure of former leader Annamie Paul, who resigned last November, coupled with further internal strife and financial woes, likely factored into the poor turnout, Cara Camcastle, a political science professor at Simon Fraser University, told Canada’s National Observer in an emailed statement.