Canadian Liberal vote heads to third ballot

Voting continued today in the Liberal Party of Canada leadership convention with frontrunner Michael Ignatieff maintaining his lead on the second ballot with 31.6% of delegate support but showing limited growth potential. Bob Rae remained in second place but narrowed the gap slightly to win 24.1% support. He was helped by the endorsement of Joe Volpe and Scott Brison who withdrew their candidacies following the first ballot.

Stephane Dion, who was only two votes ahead of Gerard Kennedy on the first ballot solidified his third place standing with 20.8% support on the second ballot winning almost 100 votes more than Kennedy who remained in fourth place. Martha Hall Findlay who had been eliminated after the first ballot threw her support to Dion. Ken Dryden brought up the rear with 4.7% support.

Following the announcement of the vote result Dryden released his delegates but threw his personal support to Bob Rae while Kennedy withdrew in order to support Dion.

Voting on the third ballot is now underway with results expected in mid-afternoon.

+Second BallotCandidateDelegate SupportPercentageMichael Ignatieff1,48131.6%Bob Rae1,132 24.1%Stephane Dion974 20.8%Gerard Kennedy884 18.8%Ken Dryden 219 4.7%Total4,690100%