Preliminary election results from the Town of Qualicum Beach show Anne Skipsey with a sizeable lead on second place candidate Sarah Duncan in the byelection to fill a vacant seat on council.
Skipsey sits atop the five candidate field with 1,539 votes, followed by Duncan with 1,017, Jean Young with 431, Peter Kent with 342 and Brian Denbigh with 36. Official results will be declared by May 19, following a final review of the ballot counts, according to a media release from the town.
The release said a total of 3,365 ballots were cast in the byelection, which includes 1,489 votes at the two advance voting opportunities, 896 votes by mail ballot, and 980 votes on general election day. Voter turnout was approximately 41 per cent. Voter turnout in the 2018 municipal election was 57.46 per cent, according to the town.
“We are pleased with the level of citizen engagement during this byelection, especially with increased restrictions and hurdles caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Our election officials have worked extremely hard and we would like to thank them in helping with the success of the 2021 byelection,” Chief Election Officer Heather Svensen said in the release.
Anne Skipsey will be officially sworn in at the regular council meeting on May 27 at 10:00 a.m., the town said. Due to the ongoing pandemic, the swearing in ceremony will be live streamed on the town’s website.
