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Voter turnout up four points in Esquimalt-Metchosin, minimally in Langford-Juan de Fuca

Provincially, B.C. hits 60 per cent turnout mark for first time since 2005.
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Voter turnout was up four points in Esquimalt-Metchosin and minimally in Langford-Juan de Fuca this year compared to 2013. Black Press photo

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