Nearly 61% of eligible voters cast a ballot in Cornwall-Meadowbank byelection

Monday night’s District 16 byelection had a strong showing by voters, and Elections P.E.I. is hoping it’s a sign of things to come.

Nearly 61% of eligible voters cast a ballot in Cornwall-Meadowbank byelection Green candidate Tayte Willows was chosen to represent District 16 Monday night's District 16 byelection had a strong showing by voters, and Elections P.E.I. is hoping it's a sign of things to come. Green candidate Tayte Willows was chosen to represent Cornwall-Meadowbank in the P.E.I. Legislature in a byelection that saw 2,993 of an eligible 4,912 voters — or 60.87 per cent — cast their ballots, including about 330 new names. Tim Garrity, the province's chief electoral officer, said turnout was strong, particularly given the time of year it took place.

"Last year, we had two summer byelections — one of them was in the mid-40 per cent turnout range and the other was mid-50s, and the last provincial election, I think we were at 67 per cent turnout," he said. "A 60 per cent turnout for a summer byelection here on P.E.I. is a good turnout. We were pleased with that number — always hoping for more, of course."

The byelection saw a lot of people engaged in debate, Garrity said, and he complimented the parties involved for getting people out to vote. He hopes it's an omen for increased involvement in future elections. "Voter turnout has been on the decline here on P.E.I. over the past number of years.

And we've always really been the envy of the country for our turnout in our provincial elections, and it's something that we would absolutely love to get back to," he said. Provincial elections have seen voter turnout on the Island dip to 68.5 per cent in 2023, the province's lowest recorded for a general election since record-keeping began in 1966. However in the past decade, voter turnout for federal elections on P.E.I. has been more than 70 per cent, the highest in the country.

"It is something that I think people need to take advantage of.... It is absolutely wonderful that it is free to vote. It is safe to vote.

And this is your opportunity. This is your representation. It's really important to take advantage of that and to ... let your voice be known."

With files from Joseph Watt