B.C. voters who were NDP supporters before the 2013 election writ dropped were probably still NDP supporters on Election Day, according to a new poll.

The Angus Reid Public Opinion survey found 55 per cent of British Columbians had made their final voting decisions before parliament was dissolved on April 16.

Only 32 per cent said they made up their minds up during the campaign, and 12 per cent were still undecided on the eve of the election.

The same poll revealed some of the main factors motivating voters. For those who cast ballots for the NDP, 28 per cent said they wanted to see the governing Liberals toppled, 28 per cent said the favoured the NDP’s policies, and 15 per cent were mainly motivated by the Leader, Adrian Dix.

For Liberal voters, 30 per cent were afraid of the NDP forming government, 23 per cent preferred the party’s policies, and 20 per cent favoured Premier Christy Clark as a leader.

Respondents were also asked whether they supported 21 different commitments the NDP discussed during the campaign. Eight of them were supported by at least 50 per cent of voters, including:

  • Ensuring that oil and gas developments don’t pose unacceptable risks to B.C. (70 per cent)
  • Increasing access to primary health care service, particularly in rural areas (69 per cent)
  • Expanding support for seniors, people with disabilities and people with chronic conditions (66 per cent)
  • Enhancing access to skills training and apprenticeship programs (65 per cent)
  • Focusing on the development of renewable sources of energy (64 per cent)
  • Improving the learning conditions for children across B.C. (61 per cent)
  • Establishing a B.C. environmental assessment for the Northern Gateway project (53 per cent)
  • Freezing ferry rates at current levels until an audit is undertaken (50 per cent)

Angus Reid surveyed 814 B.C. adults online on May 13 and 14. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 per cent, 19 times out of 20.