An uphill struggle for the parties, says voters’ panel

The campaign officially began this week, but the party campaign machines have been revved up for months. We asked our undecided voters' panel: Are you any closer to deciding who will get your vote? The following is an edited and condensed summary of the responses

I would love to be able to say that I'm impressed by the parties and the leaders. But I'm not impressed, I'm not excited, and the only thing I can say is that I have a passionate dislike for them. Anthony Gurr, Vancouver

Sadly, I am no closer to deciding who to vote for. One major problem I am suffering from is a distinct lack of trust in any of the parties – much more than I have ever felt in previous elections. … The parties are going to have to do their part to convince me they're trustworthy. They'll have an opportunity to do that at my door if they come around, but they have a hard uphill struggle. Scott Montague, North Vancouver

I am pretty impressed by Jane Sterk's understanding of policies and economics. I listened to her on CKNW today and she seems to be very fluent when discussing public policies and their economic implications. In my riding, the local candidates do not matter. As a matter of fact, it doesn't matter who I vote for because this riding belongs to Mr. Dix; however, I will definitely go vote for someone … or do something with my ballot. Kevin Fung, Vancouver

Not 100 per cent decided yet but leaning toward Greens. Not sure if I really trust the Liberals or NDP. Both have a history of not being truthful. Larry Law, Powell River

Probably the closest party to my political affiliation is the Green party – but if I choose Green it's because there is no better alternative and that's a problem for me. I want to actually have a choice that I want, not something I have to settle for. Chris Tooley, Victoria

After going back and forth for a considerable amount of time I think I would today go with the devil I know and make my X next to the Liberal candidate for my riding. I am not committed to this, however, and will be actively searching for other information to make my decision on. Scott Guthrie, Victoria

I would like to say that I am there, decided, finished. … But truth is, I am not even close. I will wait to see how the candidates do in debates, and listen to what they would like to do. I am leaning ever so slightly to the Liberal side, if only for the economic stability they bring. But, this might just be the year that I spoil my ballot with None Of The Above. Chris Dawson, Nelson

I am closer to spoiling my ballot than making a decision on who to vote for in my riding. Now that I know the general platforms of all parties and the candidates in my riding, my decision has becoming increasingly complicated because I feel more disenfranchised than ever. There is no party that fully represents my views, and no candidate that I feel I can trust to fully represent me in Victoria. Blair Mirau, Prince Rupert

Cowichan Valley is a lock for the NDP. Therefore, regardless how I vote, who I choose won't matter. That's a distressing situation for me and heightens the probability of my spoiling the ballot, something I have never done before. Had British Columbia voted in favour of BC-STV my choices, which would have been listed on a preferential ballot, would still matter. Chrystal Ocean, Duncan