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Voter participation low in Summerland

Preliminary results indicate 43 per cent participation rate in municipal election on Oct. 20
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Fewer than half of eligible voters in Summerland cast their ballots in the Oct. 20 municipal election.

A total of 4,099 ballots were cast for Summerland’s mayor, six councillors and two school trustees.

Jeremy Denegar, chief electoral officer for Summerland, said this works out to 43 per cent of eligible voters.

In some past elections voter turnout has been higher.

In 2014, 51 per cent of voters participated.

That year, there were five mayoral candidates and 16 for the six councillor seats.

Summerland’s school trustees were acclaimed that year.

The voter turnout was much lower in 2011, when just 36 per cent cast ballots.

In that election, Mayor Janice Perrino claimed her seat by acclamation.

While there was no mayoral race, there were 10 councillor candidates and six school trustee candidates.

The voter turnout was higher in 2008, with 47 per cent of eligible voters at the polls.

That year there were two mayoral and 13 councillor candidates on the ballot.



John Arendt

About the Author: John Arendt

John Arendt has worked as a journalist for more than 30 years. He has a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Journalism degree from Ryerson Polytechnical Institute.
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