The Pollcast: Unpredictable B.C. campaign begins

The CBCPollcast, hosted by CBC poll analyst ric Grenier, explores the world of electoralpolitics,political polls and the trends they reveal.

The provincial election in British Columbia officially began on Tuesday. Voters will cast their ballotson May 9.

With the polls showing a tight race and a number of factors including a surging B.C. Green Party contributing to the uncertainty, the outcome is unpredictable.

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After 16 years in office, the B.C. Liberals are looking for their fifth consecutive term. Christy Clark, who first became premier in 2011, is embarking on her second campaign as leader. She's hoping to repeat her surprising comeback from four years ago.

The B.C. New Democrats under John Horgan are leading in the polls but the margin is narrow. The party has not won an election since 1996.

Complicating matters for the NDP are the Greens under Andrew Weaver, who have been surging in the polls and look well-placed to knock the NDP out of a few seats on Vancouver Island. If the Greensmake further gains, Horgan will have a tough time holding the Liberals off.

To break down this four-week campaign, Pollcast host ric Grenier is joined by Richard Zussman, the CBC's legislative reporter in British Columbia, and Justine Hunter, B.C. political reporter for the Globe and Mail.

Listen to the full discussion above or subscribe to the CBCPollcast and listen to past episodes.

Follow ric Grenier, Justine Hunter and Richard Zussmanon Twitter.