Only 18% of ballots in

Photo: The Canadian Press

We're halfway through the referendum period on proportional representation in B.C., but only 18 per cent of eligible voters have cast their vote. 

Elections BC says approximately 597,300 ballot packages have been returned so far, that as of Friday afternoon.

That does not include ballots still in the hands of Canada Post.

In Kelowna-Lake Country, 11.7 per cent of the eligible 49,283 ballots have been returned.

In Penticton, that figure is 10.6 per cent.

Meanwhile, in Vernon-Monashee, it's 11.6 per cent of eligible ballots.

Elections BC is monitoring the Canada Post labour dispute and may yet extend the period to return ballots.

Currently, the deadline is Nov. 30 for them to be in Elections BC's hands.

B.C. has twice rejected proportional representation in previous referenda.