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Watching the results role in, Lore said she was extremely excited and optimistic that finalized results will be in her favour.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 absolutely incredible to be stepping into what I think are the biggest shoes in the province,B次元官网网址� she said, referring to Carole James who has been the NDP MLA for Victoria-Beacon Hill for the last 15 years.

B次元官网网址淭op of mind is how we navigate and get through this pandemic from a health perspective and economic perspective with a plan that works for everyone,B次元官网网址� Lore added.

She said regardless of whether people voted for her or not, she is B次元官网网址渉onoured to be representing them.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淩aising my kids here, I deeply love this community.B次元官网网址�

Lore said itB次元官网网址檚 been a unique experience navigating an election during COVID-19, but looks forward to finding ways to ensure Victoria-Beacon Hill residents are addressed going forward.

B次元官网网址淚 have a lot of optimism for our ability to be nimble and creative,B次元官网网址� she said.

B次元官网网址淢y kids are going to be so excited,B次元官网网址� she added.

Reflecting on her campaign, Neilson said her focus has been on B次元官网网址渂uilding communityB次元官网网址� and B次元官网网址渂uilding bridgesB次元官网网址�. At 39 years old, she joked that all the older people running for the B.C. Green Party regard her as one of the young ones, while all the young people running for the party regard her as one of the old ones.

For Neilson, this has been representative of the focus of her campaign B次元官网网址� to bridge gaps.

B次元官网网址淭his idea of being a person who can build bridges between generations and communities and people who have different political leanings, is really a powerful idea,B次元官网网址� she said.

Neilson said her PhD in philosophy has also shaped her campaign. B次元官网网址淲hat you learn when you study philosophy is how to construct an argument and how to listen to the reasons of other people and incorporate them into your own belief set.B次元官网网址�

Regardless of results, Neilson emphasized that she will continue her work in the community.

Liberal candidate, Karen Bill, has not yet responded to a request for comment today.

Speaking with Black Press Media earlier this month, she said B次元官网网址渢he most important issues in Victoria-Beacon Hill right now are the rapidly increasing levels of homelessness and crime in our neighbourhoods and parks.B次元官网网址�

Bill works as a policy analyst and researcher in Victoria.

Watching election results come in, Independent candidate Jordan Reichert said although he may not get the most votes tonight, he feels his campaign has made a difference.

B次元官网网址淚 brought up some issues that wouldnB次元官网网址檛 have got attention from the other candidates and I consider that a success,B次元官网网址� he said.

With his background advocating for animal rights, Reichert brought a unique lens to issues of climate change and housing. He said he wanted to emphasize the impact that animal agriculture is having on climate change and the effect a lack of housing has on pets.

Reflecting on his campaign, Reichert said his biggest take away has been the appreciation people have for candidates that speak authentically.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 refreshing,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really important to have representation for that in the legislature.B次元官网网址�

Going forward, Reichert will continue in his role as deputy leader for the Animal Protection Party of Canada.

Early voting for the 2020 provincial election has broken records, according to data released by Elections BC Thursday (Oct. 22).

The agency said 681,055 people cast their ballot during seven days of advanced voting that ended Wednesday, compared to 614,389 in 2017. In 2013, there were 366,558 people who voted in advance and 290,220 in 2009, with fewer yet in earlier elections. In Victoria-Beacon Hill 8,930 voters cast ballots during advanced voting this year.

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Due to the pandemic, more British Columbians have decided to vote by mail-in ballot than ever before. Election results wonB次元官网网址檛 be finalized until after Nov. 6, when those mail-in ballots are counted. An estimated 18,363 mail-in ballots were requested by Elections BC within Victoria-Beacon Hill. There are 48,772 registered voters in the riding.

Across B.C., a total of 724,279 mail-in ballots were returned to Elections BC, as of 11:59 p.m. Oct. 23. There are roughly 3.5 million registered voters in the province.

In the 2017 provincial election, James cruised to victory in Victoria-Beacon Hill with 16,057 votes (53.05%), followed by Kalen Harris of the Greens with 9,194 (30.38%), Liberal Karen Bill with 4,689 (15.49%), Libertarian Art Lowe with 190 votes, Independent Jordan Reichert with 102 and Independent David Shebib at 35. Voter turnout for the riding was 64.2%, ahead of the provincial average of 61.2%.

READ MORE: B.C. votes 2020

For more election coverage, go to .

EDITORB次元官网网址橲 NOTE: Due to the ongoing pandemic, Elections BC estimates that roughly 35 per cent of voters used mail-in ballots, which will be counted beginning on Nov. 6. This means that tonightB次元官网网址檚 election results may change.