| Date | June 19, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Convention | Sternwheeler Hotel, Whitehorse, Yukon |
| Resigning leader | Ranj Pillai |
| Won by | Mike Pemberton |
| Ballots | 1 |
| Candidates | 2 |
| Entrance fee | $7,000 |
The 2025 Yukon Liberal Party leadership election was held on June 19 in Whitehorse. [1] The election was called as a result of the party leader and premier Ranj Pillai's decision to announce his pending resignation on May 7. The party elected Mike Pemberton as its new leader, in a narrow margin.
The deadline to submit a candidacy was May 29.
Party members could vote in person in Whitehorse or by proxy. The party uses a ranked preferential ballot, but only two candidates entered the race, triggering an immediate instant-runoff vote. To join the party, one must be a Yukon resident and at least fourteen years of age. There’s no minimum period one has to live in the territory to be eligible to vote, and Canadian citizenship is not a requirement. Following the results, runner-up Doris Bill accused winner Mike Pemberton of signing up recent immigrants to the territory as party members. [2]
Mike Pemberton, as the new leader of the governing party of Yukon, became the territory's 11th premier. [3] This marked the Liberals' first contested leadership race since 2005, when Arthur Mitchell defeated former premier Pat Duncan. Outgoing leader Ranj Pillai and former leader Sandy Silver were both acclaimed.
| Candidate | 1st ballot | |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Votes cast | % |
| Mike Pemberton | 442 | 50.75 |
| Doris Bill | 429 | 49.25 |
| Valid votes | 871 | 99.77 |
| Invalid votes | 2 | 0.23 |
| Total votes | 873 | 100.00 |
| Registered voters/turnout | >1000 | <87.30 |