The Prince Edward Island general election, 1974 was the first election that the NDP contested as a provincial party on PEI. Not since the CCF in 1951 had there been a third party competing for votes on the island. Many Liberals worried that the introduction of the NDP would split the vote on the Left, and cause more Progressive Conservative governments, but history shows that in ridings the NDP does well in, Liberals are more likely to win. In the 10 elections the NDP has taken part in, 5 have been won by each of the Liberals and Progressive Conservatives. In this election the NDP was able to pick up 5.9% of the vote, a number they would only better in 1996 and 2000.

Prince Edward Island general election, 1974
Name	Seats	Pop Vote
Prince Edward Island Liberal Party Prince Edward Island Liberal Party The Prince Edward Island Liberal Party is a major political party in the province of Prince Edward Island, Canada. The PEI Liberals are aligned with the federal Liberal Party of Canada. The party is led by Robert Ghiz, a former member of the staff of the Prime Minister's Office under Prime Minister...	26	53.9%
Prince Edward Island Progressive Conservative Party Prince Edward Island Progressive Conservative Party The Progressive Conservative Party of Prince Edward Island is one of two major political parties on Prince Edward Island. It and its rival, the Liberals have alternated in power since responsible government was granted in 1851 and are the only two parties represented in the PEI Legislative...	6	40.2%
Prince Edward Island New Democratic Party Prince Edward Island New Democratic Party The New Democratic Party of Prince Edward Island is a social-democratic political party in the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, and a branch of the federal New Democratic Party .-CCF:...	0	5.9%