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Northwest TerritoriesHow did we vote in the Northwest Territories?
(Compiled results)

by Maurice Y. Michaud (he/him)

Northwest Territories :: Recorded events and races
Jurisdiction Elections Referendums
Juri. Year Assem. General By-Elections
Elec Races Elec Races
Min Max Min Max N Accl. n Acc? N Accl. n Acc? Minis. Q Races
14 NT 1951 2023 1 20 20 334 72 262 1 15 17 4 13 2 0 3 47
The MMP simulator cannot be run on any general election in this jurisdiction.

“Acc?” stands for missing data (namely races entered as having been won by acclamation when in fact the results are unknown), while “Minis.” shows the number of ministerial by-elections.

The results for a few by-elections are missing for this jurisdiction.
Capital city Yellowknife Largest city Yellowknife
Confederation 15 Jul 1870 Population (2025 est.) 45,242
Territorial integrity  1 Apr 1999 Area 1,346,106 km2 (519,734 mi2)
General Elections (20)
1951, 1954, 1957, 1960, 1964, 1967, 1970, 1975, 1979, 1983, 1987, 1991, 1995, 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019, 2023 
 17 Sep 1951 (First)
14 Nov 2023 (Last)
 5 Oct 2027 (Next)		 Electoral system 1951–2025: FPTP
Partisan assembly No
Fixed election date First Tuesday in October every four years.
Last by-election  8 Feb 2022 Current government
  INDE  
Consen.

So far, there have been 20 general elections in the Northwest Territories from 1951 to 2023. Remember that a consensus form of government is operated in the Northwest Territories. Therefore, this information is of limited to no value; the detailed results are likely to be more engaging.

By default, these summaries are presented in descending chronological order. For you convenience, this sorter allows you to reverse the chronology.

Chronology
Northwest Territories Northwest Territories
20 → 2023 :: 14 Nov 2023 — Present     — Majority Cons  INDE 
Summary Cabinet Opposition Lost votes
Party Votes Seats Party Votes Seats Party Votes
# % % # # % % # # %
Parliament: 20
Consensual
Population [2023]: 44,678 (est.)
Eligible: 20,550  Particip.: 53.03%
Votes: 10,855  Lost: 5,647
Seats: 19   1 seat = 5.26%
↳ Elec.Sys.:  FPTP: 19  
↳ By acclamation: 3 (15.79%) 		Candidacies: 56 (✓ 19)   m: 33 (✓ 11)   f: 23 (✓ 8)
 IND  56  
 INDE 
 1,825 16.93 47.37 7
 INDO 
 3,383 31.38 63.16 12
 IND 
 REJ 
 ABS 
 5,574
73
9,695		 51.70
0.67
——
 INDE  INDO  In the consensual form of government, a few weeks after the election, the elected members choose among themselves those who sit on the executive council and de facto form the government while the remaining members act as the de facto opposition.
 IND  All candidates ran as Independent. By acclamation: 3
 !!!  14 (73.68%)
19 → 2019 ::  1 Oct 2019 — 13 Nov 2023 — Majority Cons  INDE 
Summary Cabinet Opposition Lost votes
Party Votes Seats Party Votes Seats Party Votes
# % % # # % % # # %
Parliament: 19
Consensual
Population [2019]: 45,137 (est.)
Eligible: 24,474  Particip.: 54.17%
Votes: 13,258  Lost: 7,143
Seats: 19   1 seat = 5.26%
↳ Elec.Sys.:  FPTP: 19  
↳ By acclamation: 3 (15.79%) 		Candidacies: 58 (✓ 19)   m: 36 (✓ 10)   f: 22 (✓ 9)
 IND  58  
 INDE 
 2,647 20.12 47.37 7
 INDO 
 3,468 26.36 63.16 12
 IND 
 REJ 
 ABS 
 7,042
101
11,216		 53.52
0.76
——
 INDE  INDO  In the consensual form of government, a few weeks after the election, the elected members choose among themselves those who sit on the executive council and de facto form the government while the remaining members act as the de facto opposition.
 IND  All candidates ran as Independent. By acclamation: 3
 !!!  16 (84.21%)
18 → 2015 :: 23 Nov 2015 — 30 Sep 2019 — Majority Cons  INDE 
Summary Cabinet Opposition Lost votes
Party Votes Seats Party Votes Seats Party Votes
# % % # # % % # # %
Parliament: 18
Consensual
Population [2015]: 44,193 (est.)
Eligible: 28,662  Particip.: 44.33%
Votes: 12,707  Lost: 6,596
Seats: 19   1 seat = 5.26%
↳ Elec.Sys.:  FPTP: 19  
↳ By acclamation: 1 (5.26%) 		Candidacies: 60 (✓ 19)   m: 52 (✓ 17)   f: 8 (✓ 2)
 IND  60  
 INDE 
 2,730 21.62 47.37 7
 INDO 
 3,381 26.77 63.16 12
 IND 
 REJ 
 ABS 
 6,519
77
15,955		 51.62
0.61
——
 INDE  INDO  In the consensual form of government, a few weeks after the election, the elected members choose among themselves those who sit on the executive council and de facto form the government while the remaining members act as the de facto opposition.
 IND  All candidates ran as Independent. By acclamation: 1
 !!!  17 (89.47%)
17 → 2011 ::  3 Oct 2011 — 22 Nov 2015 — Majority Cons  INDE 
Summary Cabinet Opposition Lost votes
Party Votes Seats Party Votes Seats Party Votes
# % % # # % % # # %
Parliament: 17
Consensual
Population [2011]: 43,675
Eligible: 24,577  Particip.: 48.23%
Votes: 11,854  Lost: 5,272
Seats: 19   1 seat = 5.26%
↳ Elec.Sys.:  FPTP: 19  
↳ By acclamation: 3 (15.79%) 		Candidacies: 47 (✓ 19)   m: 38 (✓ 17)   f: 9 (✓ 2)
 IND  47  
 INDE 
 2,093 17.79 47.37 7
 INDO 
 4,489 38.15 63.16 12
 IND 
 REJ 
 ABS 
 5,184
88
12,723		 44.06
0.74
——
 INDE  INDO  In the consensual form of government, a few weeks after the election, the elected members choose among themselves those who sit on the executive council and de facto form the government while the remaining members act as the de facto opposition.
 IND  All candidates ran as Independent. By acclamation: 3
 !!!  12 (63.16%)
16 → 2007 ::  1 Oct 2007 —  2 Oct 2001 — Majority Cons  INDE 
Summary Elected Non-partisan Lost votes
Party Votes Seats Party Votes Seats Party Votes
# % % # # % % # # %
Parliament: 16
Consensual
Population [2007]: 43,107 (est.)
Eligible: 17,370  Particip.: 67.78%
Votes: 13,004  Lost: 6,013
Seats: 19   1 seat = 5.26%
↳ Elec.Sys.:  FPTP: 19  
↳ By acclamation: 3 (15.79%) 		Candidacies: 55 (✓ 19)   m: 45 (✓ 16)   f: 10 (✓ 3)
 IND  55  
 INDE 
 6,991 54.14 100.00 19
 IND 
 REJ 
 ABS 
 5,922
91
4,366		 45.86
0.70
——
The composition of the executive council is unknown.
 IND  All candidates ran as Independent. By acclamation: 3
 !!!  6 (31.58%)
15 → 2003 :: 24 Nov 2003 — 30 Sep 2007 — Majority Cons  INDE 
Summary Elected Non-partisan Lost votes
Party Votes Seats Party Votes Seats Party Votes
# % % # # % % # # %
Parliament: 15
Consensual
Population [2003]: 42,219 (est.)
Eligible: 17,107  Particip.: 64.46%
Votes: 11,027  Lost: 5,554
Seats: 19   1 seat = 5.26%
↳ Elec.Sys.:  FPTP: 19  
↳ By acclamation: 5 (26.32%) 		Candidacies: 58 (✓ 19)   m: 46 (✓ 17)   f: 12 (✓ 2)
 IND  58  
 INDE 
 5,473 49.88 100.00 19
 IND 
 REJ 
 ABS 
 5,500
54
6,080		 50.12
0.49
——
The composition of the executive council is unknown.
 IND  All candidates ran as Independent. By acclamation: 5
 !!!  7 (36.84%)
14 → 1999 ::  6 Dec 1999 — 23 Nov 2003 — Majority Cons  INDE 
Summary Elected Non-partisan Lost votes
Party Votes Seats Party Votes Seats Party Votes
# % % # # % % # # %
Parliament: 14
Consensual
Population [1999]: 40,705 (est.)
Eligible: 19,994  Particip.: 69.45%
Votes: 13,885  Lost: 6,720
Seats: 19   1 seat = 5.26%
↳ Elec.Sys.:  FPTP: 19  
↳ By acclamation: 1 (5.26%) 		Candidacies: 65 (✓ 19)   m: 51 (✓ 17)   f: 14 (✓ 2)
 IND  65  
 INDE 
 7,165 52.01 100.00 19
 IND 
 REJ 
 ABS 
 6,612
108
6,109		 47.99
0.78
——
The composition of the executive council is unknown.
Difference since the previous general election: -5 seats
First general election following the separation of Nunavut from the Northwest Territories.
 IND  All candidates ran as Independent. By acclamation: 1
 !!!  6 (31.58%)
13 → 1995 :: 16 Oct 1995 —  5 Dec 1999 — Majority Cons  INDE 
Summary Elected Non-partisan Lost votes
Party Votes Seats Party Votes Seats Party Votes
# % % # # % % # # %
Parliament: 13
Consensual
Population [1995]: 66,270 (est.)
Eligible: 32,577  Particip.: 75.40%
Votes: 24,563  Lost: 12,782
Seats: 24   1 seat = 4.17%
↳ Elec.Sys.:  FPTP: 24  
↳ By acclamation: 1 (4.17%) 		Candidacies: 91 (✓ 24)   m: 79 (✓ 22)   f: 12 (✓ 2)
 IND  91  
 INDE 
 11,781 48.21 100.00 24
 IND 
 REJ 
 ABS 
 12,654
128
8,014		 51.79
0.52
——
The composition of the executive council is unknown.
 IND  All candidates ran as Independent. By acclamation: 1
 !!!  7 (29.17%)
12 → 1991 :: 15 Oct 1991 — 15 Oct 1995 — Majority Cons  INDE 
Summary Elected Non-partisan Lost votes
Party Votes Seats Party Votes Seats Party Votes
# % % # # % % # # %
Parliament: 12
Consensual
Population [1991]: 57,649
Eligible: 20,018  Particip.: 76.51%
Votes: 16,068  Lost: 8,814
Seats: 24   1 seat = 4.17%
↳ Elec.Sys.:  FPTP: 24  
↳ By acclamation: 5 (20.83%) 		Candidacies: 84 (✓ 24)   m: 68 (✓ 21)   f: 16 (✓ 3)
 IND  84  
 INDE 
 7,254 45.50 100.00 24
 IND 
 REJ 
 ABS 
 8,688
126
3,950		 54.50
0.78
——
The composition of the executive council is unknown.
 IND  All candidates ran as Independent. By acclamation: 6
 !!!  4 (16.67%)
11 → 1987 ::  5 Oct 1987 — 14 Oct 1991 — Majority Cons  INDE 
Summary Elected Non-partisan Lost votes
Party Votes Seats Party Votes Seats Party Votes
# % % # # % % # # %
Parliament: 11
Consensual
Population [1987]: 52,238 (est.)
Eligible: 22,222  Particip.: 71.56%
Votes: 15,901  Lost: 7,375
Seats: 24   1 seat = 4.17%
↳ Elec.Sys.:  FPTP: 24  
↳ By acclamation: 3 (12.50%) 		Candidacies: 69 (✓ 24)   m: 60 (✓ 22)   f: 9 (✓ 2)
 IND  69  
 INDE 
 8,526 54.02 100.00 24
 IND 
 REJ 
 ABS 
 7,258
117
6,321		 45.98
0.74
——
The composition of the executive council is unknown.
 IND  All candidates ran as Independent. By acclamation: 3
 !!!  6 (25.00%)
10 → 1983 :: 21 Nov 1983 —  4 Oct 1987 — Majority Cons  INDE 
Summary Elected Non-partisan Lost votes
Party Votes Seats Party Votes Seats Party Votes
# % % # # % % # # %
Parliament: 10
Consensual
Population [1983]: 45,540 (est.)
Eligible: 22,611  Particip.: 69.72%
Votes: 15,764  Lost: 6,725
Seats: 24   1 seat = 4.17%
↳ Elec.Sys.:  FPTP: 24  
↳ By acclamation: 2 (8.33%) 		Candidacies: 61 (✓ 24)   m: 54 (✓ 21)   f: 7 (✓ 3)
 IND  61  
 INDE 
 9,039 57.86 100.00 24
 IND 
 REJ 
 ABS 
 6,582
143
6,847		 42.14
0.91
——
The composition of the executive council is unknown.
Difference since the previous general election: +2 seats
 IND  All candidates ran as Independent. By acclamation: 2
 !!!  5 (20.83%)
 9 → 1979 ::  1 Oct 1979 — 20 Nov 1983 — Majority Cons  INDE 
Summary Elected Non-partisan Lost votes
Party Votes Seats Party Votes Seats Party Votes
# % % # # % % # # %
Parliament: 9
Consensual
Population [1979]: 42,609 (est.)
Eligible: 20,264  Particip.: 62.11%
Votes: 12,586  Lost: 6,509
Seats: 22   1 seat = 4.55%
↳ Elec.Sys.:  FPTP: 22  
↳ By acclamation: 1 (4.55%) 		Candidacies: 67 (✓ 22)   m: 59 (✓ 20)   f: 8 (✓ 2)
 IND  67  
 INDE 
 6,077 48.71 100.00 22
 IND 
 REJ 
 ABS 
 6,399
110
7,678		 51.29
0.87
——
The composition of the executive council is unknown.
Difference since the previous general election: +7 seats
 IND  All candidates ran as Independent. By acclamation: 1
 !!!  14 (63.64%)
 8 → 1975 :: 10 Mar 1975 — 30 Sep 1979 — Majority Cons  INDE 
Summary Elected Non-partisan Lost votes
Party Votes Seats Party Votes Seats Party Votes
# % % # # % % # # %
Parliament: 8
Consensual
Population [1975]: 34,807 (est.)
Eligible: 14,748  Particip.: 64.17%
Votes: 10,059  Lost: 5,044
Seats: 15   1 seat = 6.67%
↳ Elec.Sys.:  FPTP: 15  
↳ By acclamation: 2 (13.33%) 		Candidacies: 45 (✓ 15)   m: 41 (✓ 15)   f: 4 (✓ 0)
 IND  45  
 INDE 
 5,015 50.71 100.00 15
 IND 
 REJ 
 ABS 
 4,875
169
4,689		 49.29
1.68
——
The composition of the executive council is unknown.
Difference since the previous general election: +1 seat
 IND  All candidates ran as Independent. By acclamation: 2
 !!!  5 (33.33%)
 7 → 1970 :: 21 Dec 1970 —  9 Mar 1975 — Majority Cons  INDE 
Summary Appointed Elected Lost votes
Party Votes Seats Party Votes Seats Party Votes
# % % # # % % # # %
Parliament: 7
Consensual
Population [1970]: 28,738 (est.)
Eligible: 13,254  Particip.: 69.18%
Votes: 9,169  Lost: 3,722
Seats: 14   1 seat = 7.14%
↳ Elec.Sys.:  FPTP: 10  
↳ By acclamation: 1 (10.00%) 		Candidacies: 26 (✓ 10)   m: 23 (✓ 9)   f: 3 (✓ 1)
 IND  26  
 APP 
 0 0.00 28.57 4*
 INDE 
 5,447 60.55 71.43 10
 IND 
 REJ 
 ABS 
 3,549
173
4,085		 39.45
1.89
——
* Four appointed members formed the executive council.
Difference since the previous general election: +2 seats
 IND  All candidates ran as Independent. By acclamation: 1
 !!!  2 (20.00%)
 6 → 1967 ::  4 Jul 1967 — 2 Dec 1970 — Majority Cons  INDE 
Summary Appointed Elected Lost votes
Party Votes Seats Party Votes Seats Party Votes
# % % # # % % # # %
Parliament: 6
Consensual
Population [1967]: 28,738 (est.)
Eligible: 7,724  Particip.: 61.30%
Votes: 6,423  Lost: 3,403
Seats: 12   1 seat = 8.33%
↳ Elec.Sys.:  FPTP: 7  
↳ By acclamation: 1 (14.29%) 		Candidacies: 18 (✓ 7)   m: 17 (✓ 7)   f: 1 (✓ 0)
 IND  18  
 APP 
 0 0.00 41.67 5*
 INDE 
 3,020 47.95 58.33 7
 IND 
 REJ 
 ABS 
 3,278
125
1,301		 52.05
1.95
——
* Five appointed members formed the executive council.
Difference since the previous general election: +3 seats
 IND  All candidates ran as Independent. By acclamation: 1
 !!!  4 (57.14%)
 5 → 1964 :: 31 Mar 1964 —  3 Jul 1967 — Majority Cons  INDE 
Summary Appointed Elected Lost votes
Party Votes Seats Party Votes Seats Party Votes
# % % # # % % # # %
Parliament: 5
Consensual
Population [1964]: 22,998 (est.)
Eligible: 6,905  Particip.: 65.26%
Votes: 4,506  Lost: 2,406
Seats: 9   1 seat = 11.11%
↳ Elec.Sys.:  FPTP: 4  
↳ By acclamation: 0 (0.00%) 		Candidacies: 12 (✓ 4)   m: 11 (✓ 4)   f: 1 (✓ 0)
 IND  12  
 APP 
 0 0.00 55.56 5*
 INDE 
 2,100 47.23 44.44 4
 IND 
 REJ 
 ABS 
 2,346
60
2,399		 52.77
1.33
——
* Five appointed members formed the executive council.
Three seats were added in 1966 to encompass the eastern portion of the territories (principally inhabited by Inuit) that never before had any representation.
 IND  All candidates ran as Independent.
 !!!  2 (50.00%)
 4 → 1960 :: 19 Sep 1960 — 30 Mar 1964 — Majority Cons  INDE 
Summary Appointed Elected Lost votes
Party Votes Seats Party Votes Seats Party Votes
# % % # # % % # # %
Parliament: 4
Consensual
Population [1960]: 19,313 (est.)
Eligible: 2,789  Particip.: 51.52%
Votes: 1,437  Lost: 554
Seats: 9   1 seat = 11.11%
↳ Elec.Sys.:  FPTP: 4  
↳ By acclamation: 2 (50.00%) 		Candidacies: 6 (✓ 4)
 IND  6  
 APP 
 0 0.00 55.56 5*
 INDE 
 883 62.89 44.44 4
 IND 
 REJ 
 ABS 
 521
33
1,352		 37.11
2.30
——
* Five appointed members formed the executive council.
 IND  All candidates ran as Independent. By acclamation: 2
 !!!  2 (50.00%)
 3 → 1957 :: 19 Aug 1957 — 18 Sep 1960 — Majority Cons  INDE 
Summary Appointed Elected Lost votes
Party Votes Seats Party Votes Seats Party Votes
# % % # # % % # # %
Parliament: 3
Consensual
Population [1957]: 19,313 (est.)
Eligible: 2,483  Particip.: 59.85%
Votes: 1,486  Lost: 510
Seats: 9   1 seat = 11.11%
↳ Elec.Sys.:  FPTP: 4  
↳ By acclamation: 2 (50.00%) 		Candidacies: 8 (✓ 4)
 IND  8  
 APP 
 0 0.00 55.56 5*
 INDE 
 976 66.90 44.44 4
 IND 
 REJ 
 ABS 
 483
27
997		 33.10
1.82
——
* Five appointed members formed the executive council.
 IND  All candidates ran as Independent. By acclamation: 2
 !!!  1 (25.00%)
 2 → 1954 ::  7 Sep 1954 — 18 Aug 1957 — Majority Cons  INDE 
Summary Appointed Elected Lost votes
Party Votes Seats Party Votes Seats Party Votes
# % % # # % % # # %
Parliament: 2
Consensual
Population [1954]: 16,004 (est.)
Eligible: 4,978  Particip.: 59.85%
Votes: 2,701  Lost: 1,426
Seats: 9   1 seat = 11.11%
↳ Elec.Sys.:  FPTP: 4  
↳ By acclamation: 1 (25.00%) 		Candidacies: 9 (✓ 4)
 IND  9  
 APP 
 0 0.00 55.56 5*
 INDE 
 1,275 48.39 44.44 4
 IND 
 REJ 
 ABS 
 1,360
66
2,277		 51.61
2.44
——
* Five appointed members formed the executive council.
Difference since the previous general election: +1 seat
 IND  All candidates ran as Independent. By acclamation: 1
 !!!  1 (25.00%)
 1 → 1951 :: 17 Sep 1951 —  6 Sep 1954 — Majority Cons  INDE 
Summary Appointed Elected Lost votes
Party Votes Seats Party Votes Seats Party Votes
# % % # # % % # # %
Parliament: 1
Consensual
Population [1951]: 16,004
Eligible: 4,896  Particip.: 56.27%
Votes: 2,755  Lost: 1,284
Seats: 8   1 seat = 12.50%
↳ Elec.Sys.:  FPTP: 3  
↳ By acclamation: 0 (0.00%) 		Candidacies: 11 (✓ 3)   m: 10 (✓ 3)   f: 1 (✓ 0)
 IND  11  
 APP 
 0 0.00 62.50 5*
 INDE 
 1,471 54.60 37.50 3
 IND 
 REJ 
 ABS 
 1,223
61
2,141		 45.40
2.21
——
* Five appointed members formed the executive council.
 IND  All candidates ran as Independent.
 !!!  3 (100.00%)

© 2005, 2025 :: PoliCan.ca (Maurice Y. Michaud)
Pub.:  2 Jul 2022 21:00
Rev.: 22 Jun 2024 18:53

© 2005-2025 :: PoliCan.ca
Given that electoral results are by their very nature public information, such data presented in PoliCan are considered to be in the public domain. However, unless indicated otherwise, all other elements — the concept of consolidating these data into a single format, the detailed research on each election, legislature and candidate, the organization and searchability of the data, the programming allowing the entry and maintenance of the data, as well as the analyses, explanatory articles and opinions found in this website — are the intellectual property of Maurice Y. Michaud.