More than 1.6 million people voted in the BC Elections on May 14. 2013 (according to preliminary voting results), but despite being slightly higher than the 2009 turnout, it is still a lower turnout than many hoped for.
According to data provided by Elections BC, roughly 50 to 52 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot in each riding.
The riding with the biggest voter turnout was Kamloops-North Thompson with 71.38 per cent of eligible voters casting a ballot. In this riding, Liberal Environment Minister Terry Lake kept his seat, and defeated NDP candidate in a close race.
Second came Saanich North and the Islands, where 64.85 per cent of residents voted. This was a tight race, with the NDP’s Gary Holman winning 33.2 per cent of the vote to the Liberal’s Stephen Roberts’ 33 per cent. Green candidate Adam Olsen came a close third, with 31.9 per cent of the vote. This riding, represented federally by Green MP Elizabeth May, was thought to be one of the party’s best chances at a seat in the Legislature.
But that historic win went to Green candidate Andrew Weaver in Oak Bay-Gordon Head – where 63.97 per cent of people cast a ballot; the riding with the third-biggest voter turnout.
The riding with the lowest voter turnout was Richmond Centre, where 38.91 per cent of people cast a ballot. Liberal Teresa Wat was easily elected in that riding.
Advance voting in this election was up, with more than 380,000 casting a ballot, but it appears turnout on election day was only about 52 per cent.
Final voting results will not be available until after the conclusion of the final count, which will start on May 27.
For a full list of stories and results, check out our Decision BC page.
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