Update: The first results, as of noon, shrunk Holman’s lead on Roberts to 50 votes. Olsen was 382 votes behind. The next update is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
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Elections B.C. began its final count of ballots today in a move that could overturn preliminary results in tight ridings like Saanich North and the Islands.
The final count involves votes not included in each riding’s preliminary totals on May 14, such as votes cast outside the electoral district, at advanced polls outside the district, votes from the district electoral office, mail-in ballots and special ballots from hospitals and long-term care facilities.
Those uncounted absentee and special ballots have the potential to change the results in several B.C. ridings.
One of the closest races is in Saanich North and the Islands, where preliminary results have NDP candidate Gary Holman with a 52-vote lead over Liberal candidate Stephen P. Roberts. Green candidate Adam Olsen trails Holman by 387 votes.
Roberts said there are approximately 2,500 absentee and special ballots, which means there are enough votes in play to make it a three-way race.
Most B.C. ridings will begin their final count proceedings today.
But because there is only a 52-vote margin in Saanich North and the Islands, Elections B.C. is conducting a recount of existing ballots first. It’s likely the final vote process of absentee and special ballots will begin in the riding on Tuesday.
Elections B.C. is posting live results of the final count after noon at www.elections.bc.ca.
