Voter turnout up in Prince George-Peace River

Voter turnout increased across the Prince George-Peace River riding during the 2011 federal election, but still fell short of the national numbers.

The official numbers from Elections Canada show 53.9 per cent, up from 48.9 per cent in 2008, of registered voters cast their ballots in the riding that elected Conservative Bob Zimmer. That number translates to 38,546 people out of more than 71,500 registered voters. Yet, the 53.9 per cent does not take into account voters that registered at the polls on Election Day.

The Prince George-Peace River riding was still behind the national average that also increased from 58.8 in 2008 to 61.4 per cent in Monday’s election.

The election was full of upsets and victories for almost every party, with the Conservatives taking a 167 seat majority in the House of Commons and Green Party leader Elizabeth May winning the very first seat for the party, while beating out Conservative incumbent Gary Lunn.