Voter turnout shot up significantly in three of the four local ridings, but it still remains below historical averages.
In Prince George-Mackenzie, Prince George-Valemout and Nechako Lakes many more voters cast a ballot in the May 14 election this year compared with the 2009 provincial vote. In Cariboo North the number of voters this time out was only marginally higher, but the riding located south of Prince George had the best turnout in the region to begin with.
With Elections B.C. releasing its final count for the central interior ridings on Tuesday, Prince George-Mackenzie saw its turnout increase from 53.7 per cent in 2009 to 58.9 per cent this year. The 2013 turnout is based on the voters list as of April 23 and could change slightly when Elections BC releases the final voters list at a later date.
Liberal Mike Morris finished first in the count with 10,689 votes, good for 55.2 per cent of the 19,336 ballots cast. New Democrat Bobby Deepak was second at 6,725 (34.7 per cent); Green Karen McDowell was third (1,094 votes, 5.7 per cent) and Conservative Terry Rysz was fourth (858, 4.4 per cent).
In Prince George-Valemount turnout jumped from 52 per cent four years ago to 56.8 per cent this time out.
Liberal Shirley Bond won her fourth term in office picking up 11,291 votes for 57 per cent of the 19,826 votes. For comparison's sake, Bond previous high was 9,072 votes in 2009. New Democrat Sherry Ogasawara finished second with 7,116 votes for 35.9 per cent; Conservative Nathan Giede was third (1,105, 5.6 per cent) and Christian Heritage candidate Donald Roberts was fourth (314, 1.6 per cent).
Nechako Lakes, located to the west of Prince George, saw its turnout skyrocket from 54.8 per cent in 2009 to 60.8 per cent this year - the best in the region.
Liberal John Rustad won his third term in office picking up 5,324 of the 9,898 votes for 53.8 per cent. New Democrat Sussanne Skidmore-Hewlett was second with 2,737 votes for 27.8 per cent; Conservative Dan Brooks was third (1,253, 12.7 per cent); Green Colin Hamm was fourth (510, 5.2 per cent); and Beverly Bird of the Advocational International Democratic Party was fifth (74 votes, 0.8 per cent).
Cariboo North, which had 60.2 per cent turnout in 2009 held relatively steady with a turnout of 60.6 per cent this year.
Coralee Oakes completed a Liberal sweep of the region, picking up 5,867 of the 14,167 votes for 41.4 per cent share. Incumbent Bob Simpson, a former New Democrat running as an independent, was second with 5,264 votes for 37.2 per cent, making it the closest race in the region. Duncan Barnett, running for the NDP, placed third with 3,036 votes for 21.4 per cent.
The final count has yet to be completed in all 85 ridings, so a provincial voter turnout isn't available. However it appears the 2013 election will reverse a long-term trend of declining participation.
According to Elections B.C., the number of registered voters who showed up at the polls dropped in seven straight elections between 1983 and 2009 from a high of 77.5 per cent to 55.1 per cent four years ago.
