(MARSHALL JONES / iNFOnews.ca)
October 20, 2015 - 7:20 AM
THOMPSON-OKANAGAN - Voter turnout numbers in the 42nd federal election jumped to more than 70 per cent throughout the region, just above the national average and well ahead of 2011 turnout.
In the Kamloops-Thompson-Cariboo riding, where Conservative Cathy McLeod was re-elected, voter turnout jumped to 74.07 per cent this election, up significantly from the 63.3 per cent voter turnout we saw in 2011.
The North-Okanagan Shuswap stayed Conservative as well, with Mel Arnold taking the seat. Voter turnout was up to 72.68 per cent in the riding, up 10 per cent over 2011.
Kelowna-Lake Country turned red this election, with Liberal Stephen Fuhr beating out incumbent Conservative Ron Cannan. In total 72.07 per cent of eligible voters casted ballots this election, up from just 60.27 per cent in 2011.
In Central Okanagan-Similkameen-Nicola, where Conservative Dan Albas was re-elected voter turnout was 71.81 per cent and the South Okanagan-West Kootenay went orange, with NDP Richard Cannings getting the nod, and saw a 73.57 per cent voter turnout. Both ridings are new and formed partially from two previous ridings where voter turnout was in the low-60s in 2011.
With close to 17.6 million Canadians casting votes in this election voter turnout was up to 68.5 per cent, the highest in more than 20 years and up significantly from a turnout of 61 per cent in 2011. About 3.6 million of those votes came during the four-day advance polling period over the Thanksgiving long weekend.
To contact a reporter for this story, email Jennifer Stahn at jstahn@infonews.ca or call 250-819-3723. To contact an editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.
News from © iNFOnews, 2015