PEI

Record number of votes cast in PC advance polls

Saturday marked the final day for advance voting for the Progressive Conservative leadership of P.E.I. and organizers say the number of votes cast so far already mark an all-time high for the party.

Progressive Conservative Party of P.E.I. says 2,300 votes cast in leadership race so far

James Aylward, Darlene Compton and Rob Lantz are candidates for the leadership of the P.E.I. Progressive Conservative Party. (Progressive Conservative Party)

Saturday marked the final day for advance voting for the Progressive Conservative leadership of P.E.I. and organizers say the number of votes cast so far already mark an all-time high for the party.

Gordon MacFarlane, a spokesperson for the leadership convention committee, said there is a high level of engagement in the party.

"Our total ballots cast after two days of advance polls and mail in ballots to date, we are over 2,300 votes which is a new record for the PC Party on P.E.I." said MacFarlane. "Compare that to the 1996 leadership race when Pat Binns was elected, we had 2,134 total votes cast."

The leadership convention will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, in Charlottetown.

Some members attending the convention won't vote until after they have heard speeches from the candidates.

The three leadership contenders have drawn for speaking order.

James Aylward's name was drawn first and he chose to speak last.

Rob Lantz's name was drawn second and he chose to speak second. 

Darlene Compton will speak first.

CBC will have full coverage of the leadership convention online, on television and on radio.