PEI's fixed election date law, passed in 2008,[1] requires a general election to be held on the first Monday in October of the fourth calendar year following the previous general election.[2] However, the law does not override the constitutional powers of the province's lieutenant governor to dissolve the Legislature and hold new elections at any time. Under the principles of responsible government, the lieutenant governor only calls elections on the advice of the premier or in response to the failure of a confidence vote in the Legislature.[3] Thus it generally remains the premier's prerogative to call elections early, and premiers are often criticized for doing so for political advantage.[1] Of PEI's four general elections held since the fixed date was passed into law, only one has been held on the fixed date; the other three were called early.[1]
Timeline
2023
April 3: General election held. The Progressive Conservative Party increases their seat total from 15 to 22 in the 27-seat Legislature, gaining 6 seats from the Green Party and 1 from the Liberal Party. The Liberals form the Official Opposition, replacing the Greens.[4]Voter turnout of 68.5% is the province's lowest for a general election since records began in 1966.[5]
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