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Municipal election voter turnout has declined in nearly all major cities and municipalities in the province.

Unlike 2018’s mayoral contest, this rematch between Ken Sim and Kennedy Stewart was not a close one.

Results in the 2022 municipal elections for southern Vancouver Island: New mayors in Victoria, Saanich, Langford, Colwood, View Royal, North Saanich, Metchosin and North Cowichan, incumbents re-elected in Esquimalt, Sooke and Nanaimo.

Marianne Alto captured 55 per cent of the vote, while her closest rival among the eight mayoral candidates, Stephen Andrew, was second with 36 per cent.

The former three-term councillor won a narrow victory over incumbent Fred Haynes.

The newcomer candidate beat Stew Young — the seven-term, 30-year mayor — with 53 per cent of the vote.

Former Green Party of sa¹ú¼Ê´«Ã½ MP Paul Manly joins council, topping the polls.

Both mayoral candidates campaigned on preserving Metchosin's rural character.

Peter Jones swept the North Saanich mayoral race, receiving 58.7 per cent of the vote to defeat challengers Nancy Borden and Murray Weisenberger.