In a stunning sign of support for the protests that have roiled Hong Kong this year, more than half of the 452 seats in Sunday’s local district council elections flipped from pro-Beijing to pro-democracy candidates.

Elected representatives to local district councils

New Territories Roy Kwong, a lawmaker who frequents pro-democracy protests, won re-election in Yuen Long. A 21-year-old candidate won against a pro-Beijing incumbent in Sai Kung. Junius Ho, one of the most vocal supporters of the government, lost in Tuen Mun. Kowloon In North Point, where pro-democracy protesters have been attacked, a three-time pro-Beijing incumbent lost. Hong Kong Island Lantau Island In the Southern district where Joshua Wong, a high-profile activist, was disqualified from running, his substitute won. Roy Kwong, a lawmaker who frequents pro-democracy protests, won re-election in Yuen Long. New Territories Kowloon In North Point, where pro-democracy protesters have been attacked, a three-time pro-Beijing incumbent lost. Lantau Island Hong Kong Island In the Southern district where Joshua Wong, a high-profile activist, was disqualified from running, his substitute won. Roy Kwong, a lawmaker who frequents pro-democracy protests, won re-election in Yuen Long. New Territories Kowloon Lantau Island Hong Kong Island In the Southern district where Joshua Wong, a high-profile activist, was disqualified from running, his substitute won. In North Point, where pro-democracy protesters have been attacked, a three-time pro-Beijing incumbent lost. Roy Kwong, a lawmaker who frequents pro-democracy protests, won re-election in Yuen Long. New Territories Junius Ho, one of the most vocal supporters of the government, lost in Tuen Mun. Kowloon Hong Kong Island Lantau Island In the Southern district where Joshua Wong, a high-profile activist, was disqualified from running, his substitute won. In North Point, where pro-democracy protesters have been attacked, a three-time pro-Beijing incumbent lost. Note: Candidates were classified as pro-democracy or pro-Beijing based on their party affiliations, as well as by their public activities and statements. The chart includes 27 ex-officio members who are rural committee chairmen in the New Territories.

The districts that flipped from pro-Beijing to pro-democracy were spread throughout the city, from dense urban centers to the more rural areas in the New Territories.

Voter turnout was the highest since Hong Kong began holding district council elections in 1999.

Turnout 71% 70% 60 50 40 30 1999 2003 2007 2011 2015 2019 Turnout 71% 70% 60 50 40 30 2003 2007 2011 2015 2019 1999 70% Turnout 71% 60 50 40 30 1999 2003 2007 2011 2015 2019

This was the first time that every seat in a district council election had candidates from at least two opposing parties. During the last election cycle, in 2015, 68 candidates ran unopposed.

This year also set a record, with 4 million registered voters, 390,000 of whom were newly registered.

4 million Registered voters 4.1 million 3 2 2001 2010 2019 4 million Registered voters 4.1 million 3 2 2001 2010 2019 4 million Registered voters 4.1 million 3 2 2001 2010 2019

Many district council candidates who had actively participated in recent protests won, suggesting that popular support for the pro-democracy movement has solidified. Some had been targeted in attacks. Others had been caught up in violent clashes during protests, with some even arrested and charged.

Lam Cheuk Ting

North District Lam Cheuk Ting via Facebook Roy Kwong

Yuen Long Edgar Su/Reuters Richard Chan

Tai Po Vincent Yu/Associated Press Jimmy Sham

Sha Tin Apple Daily/Associated Press Andrew Chiu

Eastern District Elson Li/HK01, via Associated Press Jocelyn Chau

Eastern District CitizenNews via Youtube

While most of these elected officials’ responsibilities are limited to their districts, the victory by the pro-democracy candidates could allow them to play a bigger role in shaping the government in the future. These district council members are eligible to be elected to six seats in the Legislative Council, and will control 117 votes in the 1,200-member committee that chooses Hong Kong’s chief executive.