Big jump in voter turnout for young people in 2017 election

Sixty-onepercent of registered voters cast ballots in the 2017 B.C. election, according to the final report by Election B.C.'s chief electoral officer.

The increase in turnout was largely due to greater percentages of younger voters casting ballots: 51.7 per cent of registered voters under 45 voted, up from 45.1 per cent in 2013.

The percentageof registered voters over 45 who cast a ballot continued to remain high from 65 per cent in 2013 to 67 per cent in 2017.

"That's progress," said UBC professorPaul Kershaw, whose group Generation Squeeze raises awareness about the economic pressure faced by younger Canadians.

"It's still frustrating that we're well below those that are over 45, and everyone who doesn't vote needs to look in the mirror and understand that parties respond to people that show up ... but it's progress."

Kershawsaid the results would be helpful when lobbying provincial politicians to adopt policies that benefit younger British Columbians

Advanced voting way up

The other significant trend in the 2017 election was the continued rise of advance voting.

In total, 599,225 votes were cast at advanced stations in 2017, over 220,000 more than in 2013. Overall, advanced voters comprised30.2 per cent of voters in the election, with the most advanced votes cast on May 6, the final day available.

Overall, Elections B.C. spent $39.5 million on the electionor about $12.15 per registered voter.

The 2017 B.C. election on May 9ended up being the closest in provincial history, with the NDP coming to power two months after voting had concluded.