Polls close in District 16 provincial byelection

Green candidate Tayte Willows wins Cornwall-Meadowbank byelection, CBC News projects

Polls were open at the APM Centre in Cornwall from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

P.E.I. Green Party candidate Tayte Willows will win the District 16 Cornwall-Meadowbank byelection, CBC News projects.

CBC News made the call with seven of 10 polls and advance votes in. The Liberal Party's Robert Mitchell trailed in second, followed by Progressive Conservative candidate Caley McDonald in third place and the NDP's Craig Nash trails in fourth with a handful of votes.

More to come. See previous story below.

Polls are closed in District 16 after voters cast a ballot Monday to choose the next Prince Edward Island MLA in Cornwall-Meadowbank.

The byelection was called to fill the seat left vacant by former Progressive Conservative MLA and health minister Mark McLane, who died in March.

The four candidates vying for the seat include the Progressive Conservative's Caley McDonald, Liberal Leader Robert Mitchell, the New Democratic Party's Craig Nash and the Green Party's Tayte Willows.

Early numbers indicate 2,990 of 4,912 registered voters cast a ballot, for a voter participation rate of 60.87 per cent.

Health care, growth pressures top concerns as P.E.I. byelection candidates make their case to voters

Here’s how to find CBC P.E.I.’s full coverage of the District 16 byelection

Many of those ballots were cast in advance. Early voter turnout was strong, with roughly 40 per cent of the district's electorate casting advance ballots.

This story will be updated through the evening as results roll in. CBC News: Compass will also be live at 11 p.m. to bring you the results on CBC TV, CBC Gem and our YouTube channel.

Island Morning will pick up the story Tuesday morning with more from the parties and what the results mean for Islanders.

Gwyneth Egan is a reporter with CBC Prince Edward Island. She has a master's degree in journalism from Carleton University. You can reach her at gwyneth.egan1@cbc.ca