A closer look at the 2024 N.S. election results and what they tell us about the major parties and voters

The 2024 Nova Scotia election saw some significant wins and losses for the major political parties. The Liberals suffered major setbacks under the “first-past-the-post” electoral system, which resulted in them winning only two seats despite receiving slightly more of the popular vote than the NDP. This was a sharp decline from the 17 seats they won in the previous election.

On the other hand, the NDP saw an increase in their seat count, flipping three seats and securing a total of nine seats in the House of Assembly. This was a positive outcome for Leader Claudia Chender, who will become the first elected woman leader of the Official Opposition.

The real winners of the election were Premier Tim Houston’s Progressive Conservatives (PCs), who managed to flip 12 seats from the previous election. The party saw gains in vote share in every district, with many areas showing an increase of at least 10 percent. This success can be attributed to the positive outlook in rural areas, where there has been significant population growth.

However, the NDP’s gains in vote share were mainly concentrated in the Halifax Regional Municipality (HRM), where the party already had a strong base of support. In rural ridings, the party saw a decrease in vote share, indicating a need to focus on building local support for future elections.

To improve their chances in the next election, the NDP will need to invest in local candidates who have a strong presence in their communities. By listening to rural voters and developing policies that address local concerns, the party can expand its support base outside of urban areas.

For the Liberals, the election was a disaster as they witnessed a collapse in their share of the vote. With only one riding showing an improvement in vote share, the party will need to regroup and strategize for the future. Former premier Iain Rankin was re-elected in Timberlea-Prospect, but overall, the party faced significant losses across the province.

The election results were further complicated by the record-low voter turnout in Nova Scotia, with only 45 percent of registered voters casting a ballot. This highlights the need for increased civic engagement and participation in the democratic process.

As judicial recounts are set to take place in closely contested ridings like Yarmouth and Annapolis, the final outcome of the election remains uncertain. The high turnout in ridings like Clare and Richmond contrasts with the low turnout in areas like Truro-Bible Hill-Millbrook-Salmon River and Shelburne, underscoring the importance of every vote in shaping the future of the province.