Election

B.C. election voter turnout hits new low

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 26 Oct, 2020 08:30 PM

Voter turnout in the British Columbia election dropped to just 52.4 per cent, the lowest participation rate in more than 90 years.

Statistics from Elections BC going back to 1928 show the second lowest voter turnout was 55.14 per cent during the 2009 election.

The elections agency says in a statement the calculation this year includes ballots cast in advanced polls and on election day, as well as estimates of the numbers of absentee and mail-in ballots returned.

WATCH TODAY'S VIDEO

It says fewer people voted on election day that those who voted in advanced polls.

While there were more than 700,000 requests for vote-by-mail packages, about 525,000 people returned those ballots in time to be counted.

Elections BC won't be counting the mail-in ballots for several weeks, although the outcome of Saturday's election that delivered the NDP a majority government is not expected to change.

As of last month, there were 3,485,858 registered voters in B.C.

Prev Next

MORE Election ARTICLES

NDP win majority government in B.C.

With just under half the polls reporting results, the NDP were leading and elected in 54 seats. The B.C. Liberals were leading and elected in 30 and the Greens in three.

NDP win majority government in B.C.

Polls close in British Columbia election

NDP Leader John Horgan dissolved his minority government a year before the province's fixed voting date and his decision to call a snap election emerged as a key issue in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Polls close in British Columbia election

WATCH: Who will WIN the 2020 #BCElection ? Will BC NDP come back as a majority or BC Liberal Party gain ground ?

WATCH: Who will WIN the 2020 #BCElection ? Will BC NDP come back as a majority or BC Liberal Party gain ground ? We spoke to #UBC professor of political science Richard Johnston and his answers were surprising!

WATCH: Who will WIN the 2020 #BCElection ? Will BC NDP come back as a majority or BC Liberal Party gain ground ?

Pandemic recovery, gaffes colour B.C. election

The election has seen the NDP vie for a majority, the Greens make the case for minority governments and the Liberals unveil one of the most expensive campaign promises to date.

Pandemic recovery, gaffes colour B.C. election

Elections BC aiming for results on Nov. 16

Vote-by-mail packages are collected centrally and cannot be counted for at least 13 days after the election, allowing time for the ballots to be sent back to voters' ridings for sorting and screening.

Elections BC aiming for results on Nov. 16

Horgan makes last-day pitch for B.C. votes

Horgan was in New Westminster appealing for voter support in Metro Vancouver ridings that are expected to be key battlegrounds between the NDP and B.C. Liberals.