It’s been a long election for residents in the riding of Saint John East.
Voters there went back to the polls Monday in a byelection to decide who will represent them in the New Brunswick legislature.
Liberal candidate Gary Keating was voted in during the provincial election in September, but he resigned days before he was to be sworn in, citing personal reasons.
Despite the potential for voter fatigue, and the heavy rains that may have kept voters at home, Elections New Brunswick returning officer Kathy Dalling said she was surprised to find voter turnout wasn’t higher Monday.
“In the advanced polls we had roughly a 26 per cent increase in people,” Dalling said. “For the two o’clock count we’re down probably 350, 375.”
Glen Savoie is back on the ballot for the Progressive Conservative Party, while Shelley Rinehart is running for the Liberals.
NDP Leader Dominic Cardy, who originally said he would resign after failing to win a seat in September, is hoping the byelection could be his way into the legislature.
Sharon Murphy is the Green Party candidate while Arthur Watson is running for the People’s Alliance of New Brunswick.
None of the candidates actually live in the riding of Saint John East.
“Well, it could be better than that but, I mean, if they do a good job it doesn’t matter where they’re from, I guess,” said local voter Phil Maston.
The polls will be closing at 8 p.m. and Elections New Brunswick expects the results to come out between 8:30 p.m. and 9 p.m.
With files from CTV's Ashley Blackford.
