It is a phenomenon that hasn't been seen for more than a century in British Columbia: a blank political slate.
This February, the B.C. Liberals will choose a new leader for the first time in 17 years. The B.C. New Democrats get the last word, choosing a new leader in April to be the main face of the opposition in the next election.
That means two rookie leaders in the next provincial election.
That may be good news for the parties, says Hamish Telford, a political scientist at the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford. "Going forward, it gives both parties a clean slate," said Prof. Telford, adding that such a slate may allow for optimism and new ideas.
Want a clear choice at the polls? The dream matchup might be two combative partisans, a premier Kevin Falcon versus opposition leader Adrian Dix. Would you pick tough-on-crime New Democrat Mike Farnworth to take on "family first" Christy Clark? How about a rare rural contest with the Liberal's folksy blueberry farmer George Abbott pitted against Islander John Horgan?
Before the combat of the provincial election comes the campaign among party members. To make it to the big political stage, the candidates must win over their respective partisan camps - a reality shaping the current leadership campaigns.
This weekend is the last chance for signing up New Democrats who will be eligible to vote in that party's leadership vote. The main candidates hope to have locked up thousands of critical votes before the Liberals cast their ballots.
On the other side of B.C.'s partisan divide, the Liberals have until Feb. 4 to sign up members and the party has not even settled on how the votes will be counted - weighted to the regions or not. The twin leadership races are just getting under way, but here's an early peek at the political species now prowling the provincial political terrain of British Columbia.
Click on the first 'Interactive' link in the middle of the story to read more.