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Nearly 25,000 people cast ballots in Chilliwack

Turnout 10,000 votes higher than in 2014
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Nearly 25,000 people voted in Chilliwack’s municipal election – shattering the total of 14,943 set in 2014.

Voter turnout was strong throughout the day, Saturday, with polling stations reporting an average of 2,000 ballots cast hourly.

The busiest polling station was Evergreen Hall, followed by Watson elementary.

Advance polls also drew strong numbers, with 965 people voting Oct. 10, and 1,569 taking the opportunity on Oct. 17.

When the votes were counted, Ken Popove was elected mayor with 8,432 votes, beating incumbent Sharon Gaetz by a bit more than 1,000 votes.

Third was Sam Waddington with 6,988 votes.

READ MORE: Popove pledges to work hard as new mayor of Chilliwack

On council Jason Lum secured nearly twice the number of votes he received in 2014, garnering 15,604 – the most of any candidate.

Second was Chris Kloot with 13,298, followed by Bud Mercer (12,053), Jeff Shields (10,857), Sue Attrill (10,113) and Harv Westeringh (8,745).

On the school board side, turnout was also strong. Incumbent Dan Coulter received the most votes at 10,748. Only 56 votes separated the next three candidates, with incumbent Barry Neufeld drawing 9,226, incumbent Heather Maahs with 9,173, and new comer Willow Reichelt with 9,170.

They were followed by David Swankey (7,696), Darrell Furgason (7,130) and Jared Mumford (7,125).

READ MORE: Chilliwack school board results reveal clear split

Chilliwack voters also elected two members to the Cultus Lake Park Board: Darcy Bauer with 9,085 votes, and David Renwick with 8,962 votes.