British Columbia election sees record low turnout as Conservatives win majority
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Around 48% of registered voters cast ballots in British Columbia's snap provincial election, the lowest turnout since records began, while the Conservative Party secured a majority and the NDP lost power.
Voter participation in British Columbia's provincial election fell to about 48% of registered voters, the lowest level recorded since at least 1928, according to preliminary data from Elections BC. The Conservative Party, led by interim leader Lorne Doerkson, won a sizable majority, ending the New Democratic Party's nine-year tenure that began in 2017 under the late premier John Horgan.
Outgoing Premier David Eby called the snap election on Sept. 22, citing the need for a fresh mandate to address the U.S. trade dispute. Observers noted that many voters appeared unconvinced by the rationale for the early vote.
"Dave Eby’s campaign angered them. They were never persuaded by his arguments in favour of an election," said Geoff Meggs, former chief of staff to John Horgan.
Meggs added that the NDP’s shift away from the trade-war narrative toward complex affordability policies, such as grocery-price regulation, failed to resonate with voters. He also noted that the party did not prominently highlight its achievements since 2017.
The NDP received roughly 274,000 fewer votes than in the 2024 election, while the Conservatives saw a decline of about 49,000 votes. The Green Party increased its vote total by approximately 23,000.
University of British Columbia emeritus professor Allan Tupper suggested that the proximity of the provincial vote to municipal elections—held a week earlier—may have contributed to voter fatigue, noting a lack of energy among the electorate. Municipal turnout in Vancouver rose to 43.4%, and provincial turnout in other recent elections, such as Quebec’s, remained significantly higher.
Democracy Watch co-founder Duff Conacher said studies link higher turnout to voters perceiving important stakes, credible leaders, and competitive races, and warned that the sub-50% participation rate signals a concerning trend.