Residents in Delta South made their way to the polls in big numbers on Tuesday with more than 23,500 votes cast or just over 68 per cent of the riding's eligible voters.
That was similar to 2013 when 23,894 votes were cast in the riding, which gave Delta South the third highest voter turnout in the province.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Optimist stopped by polling stations in Tsawwassen (South Delta Recreation Centre) and Ladner (Ladner Community Centre) to ask voters what issues brought them out to the polls. Not surprisingly, the answers were mixed.
In Tsawwassen, Peter Harms said there hasn't been a really big issue that he can think of galvanizing South Deltans.
"I haven't been following it too much because I was out of the country for four months, but I can't think of any issue. Ian (Paton) is the only one that I know personally. All the other ones, I don't know them," said Harms.
Graham Witcher said mega projects such as the George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project and Terminal 2 are big issues for the riding.
As far as the five candidates, Witcher said, "We've been so well served by Vicki Huntington. Whoever follows her, she's a hard act to follow."
Glen Dawe also said he was a big Huntington fan, but likes Paton as a candidate this time around. He also likes the idea of having a bridge built here.
While Wendy Scott said they always make sure to vote, this election has made it challenging to choose.
"I think for us it's hard in that having an independent candidate adds a different dynamic and it's hard to know even if that person is good, and if you vote for them, does it split votes, and so the Liberals get in rather than a different party," Scott said. "That has been hard on our mind. The other quandary we have, because we're fairly new to this area, is why does Delta need an independent. Then also, the Green Party with their leader, from what I've read about him and seen, he's very articulate. I like his beliefs but how can he govern if he only ends up getting one seat?" In Ladner, Donna Gibson said residents have enjoyed wonderful representation in the community and that she was looking for the same.
When asked how she voted, she said it was safe to assume she supported Nicholas Wong.
Michael Hambrook had no problems stating that he voted for Wong.
"I can't vote for Christy (Clark). Certainly some of Vicki's ideas played a factor in my decision, but for me it was who I felt was the best option for Delta South," he said.
Karen Taipalus said she voted because she was proud to live in a country that has a fair and democratic process.
"Voting is something that should not be taken for granted. If you don't vote, you don't have a say," she said. "This was a hard one for me. I went to the all-candidates and pretty much all the candidates shared similar views, so for me it came down to do I vote for a party or do I vote for the candidate?" Cindy Garbe stated that she voted to get Clark out.
"Transit is terrible here.
I feel for any students who live here and want to attend UBC because it is not even accessible. And with the new bridge, where is the SkyTrain options?" she asked.
John Kobilan also voted for change.
"I'll tell you this, the Liberals can jump in a lake. It started with the mess at our hospital and the same thing is happening with the bridge project. It doesn't make sense. We voted Liberal before, but we voted for change this time," he said.
