Voter turnout across the province hit 60 per cent for the first time since 2005 according to preliminary figures.
Esquimalt-Metchosin saw an uptick in its turnout from 2013, with 62.3 per cent of eligible voters casting ballots in a race that was won by the NDP’s Mitzi Dean over Liberal candidate Barb Desjardins and Andy MacKinnon of the BC Greens. In 2013, when the riding was called Esquimalt-Royal Roads, turnout sat at 58.2 per cent.
As for Langford-Juan de Fuca, where NDP leader John Horgan was easily elected for a fourth time over Liberal challenger Cathy Noel and Green party hopeful Brendan Ralfs, the riding saw a minimal increase in turnout, from 58.1 per cent in 2013 to 58.7 per cent this year.
Two ridings on southern Vancouver Island broke the two-thirds threshold, both of which were won by BC Green candidates. Saanich North and the Islands – won by Adam Olsen – led the province with a 69.5 per cent figure while Green leader Andrew Weaver’s riding of Oak Bay-Gordon Head had a 66.6 per cent turnout.
Preliminary figures don’t include numbers from absentee ballots, which will be released on May 24.
joel.tansey@goldstreamgazette.com
Twitter:@joelgazette
