What Is 31st New Brunswick general election

Overview

The 31st New Brunswick general election, held on September 14, 2020, marked a pivotal moment in the province’s political landscape. Despite the challenges posed by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the election proceeded with in-person voting, resulting in a decisive win for the incumbent Progressive Conservative Party.

Blaine Higgs, who became Premier in 2018 following a minority government agreement, led the PCs to a majority government. The election saw the re-election of 49 members to the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick, with results reflecting regional divides and shifting voter priorities.

• Term length: Members of the Legislative Assembly serve up to five years, though elections can be called earlier under minority conditions or strategic timing.
• Electoral districts: New Brunswick is divided into 49 electoral districts, each electing one representative through a first-past-the-post system.
• Major parties: The Progressive Conservatives, Liberals, and Green Party were the primary contenders, with the Greens emerging as a significant third force.
• Minority to majority: The PCs shifted from a minority government formed in 2018 to a majority in 2020, gaining 10 additional seats.
• Voting during pandemic: Special safety protocols were implemented, including plexiglass barriers, sanitization stations, and extended advance voting periods.

How It Works

New Brunswick’s electoral system operates under a Westminster-style parliamentary model, where the party winning the most seats typically forms government. The Lieutenant Governor formally appoints the Premier, usually the leader of the party with the most seats.

• Term: A legislative term in New Brunswick is constitutionally limited to five years, but elections can be called earlier at the Premier’s discretion. This flexibility allows strategic timing for political advantage.
• Election call: The Premier advises the Lieutenant Governor to dissolve the legislature; in 2020, Blaine Higgs called the election eight months before the fixed-date deadline.
• First-past-the-post: The candidate with the most votes in each riding wins, even without a majority, which can lead to disproportionate seat-to-vote ratios.
• Advance voting: Voters could cast ballots during a five-day advance period, which saw a 20% increase in participation compared to 2018.
• Mail-in ballots: Due to the pandemic, mail-in voting was expanded, with over 12,000 applications processed—triple the previous election.
• Youth engagement: Voter turnout among those aged 18–24 remained low at approximately 30%, despite targeted outreach campaigns.
• Green Party breakthrough: The Greens won three seats, maintaining their official party status with 8.1% of the popular vote.

Comparison at a Glance

Below is a comparison of key results between the 30th and 31st New Brunswick general elections:

The 2020 election showed stability in party representation, with the PCs consolidating power while smaller parties held their ground. The People's Alliance gained two seats, reflecting growing support for right-leaning populist voices in rural areas, particularly in the southeast.

Why It Matters

The outcome of the 31st general election had lasting implications for policy, governance, and democratic engagement in New Brunswick. A majority government allowed for more decisive legislative action, particularly in areas like healthcare and economic recovery.

• Policy stability: The PC majority enabled swift passage of budgets and legislation without reliance on opposition support, unlike the 2018–2020 minority period.
• Healthcare focus: The pandemic elevated health infrastructure as a top priority, with the government increasing funding to hospitals and long-term care facilities.
• Rural-urban divide: Voting patterns highlighted a growing political gap, with rural ridings favoring the PCs and urban centers leaning Liberal or Green.
• Green Party influence: Despite holding only three seats, the Greens maintained leverage through committee participation and public advocacy.
• Election integrity: The successful conduct of the election during a public health crisis reinforced public trust in electoral institutions.
• Future reforms: Calls for electoral reform, including ranked ballots, gained traction after concerns about vote proportionality resurfaced.

The 2020 election reaffirmed the importance of strategic leadership and voter mobilization in a small province with diverse regional interests. It set the stage for the next legislative cycle, shaping New Brunswick’s response to national and global challenges.