1st day of advance voting in B.C. sees record turnout

The first day of advance voting in the British Columbia election saw a record turnout, officials say.

Elections B.C. says 171,381 voters cast their ballots at advance polls on Thursday, surpassing a previous record of 126,491 votersin the 2017 election.

Andrew Reeve, the director of communications for B.C. United, says electionofficials have been making it easier to vote in advance.

"There has been an effort to make voting more accessible, increasing the number of advancepolling stations and advancepolling days and more and more Canadians are getting out there early because they don't want to be in the long lines on election day," Reeve said.

He said that with election day falling on Saturday, Oct. 19, some voters with weekend plans may be looking to vote early.

WATCH | Highlights from the B.C. leaders' debate:

Analysis and key moments from B.C. party leaders' debate

7 days ago

Duration 5:22

Our Katie DeRosa breaks down the key moments of the debate between B.C. NDP Leader David Eby, B.C. Conservative Leader John Rustad and B.C. Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau.

Stewart Prest, a political science lecturer at the University of British Columbia, says an increasingly close election campaign and apolarized political landscape may also be factors.

"That could be a motivator for those who are strongly affiliated with either the incumbent NDP or who are strongly motivated to see a change in government. They may be more motivated to get to the polls early," Prest said.

Reeve cautioned against reading too much into advance voting totals.

"At the end of the day, I think it's just folks want to get out and vote early and get it done with," he said. "Perhaps it shows folks have decided already. They've already made up their minds. But which way people are voting and which way they're leaning, we'll have to wait until the results come in on the 19th."

Fix in place for incorrect voting packages

Around 4,000 voters in B.C. who asked for mail-in ballots received incorrect voting packages, says Elections B.C.

The affected voting packagesshouldhave included a postage-paid return envelope but insteadincludedan international return envelope for voters outside of Canada, which requires postage.

It says return envelopes that do not have postage can bemailedanyway, and Canada Post will deliver it. Voters can also drop off their envelopesat a district electoral office, voting place or participating Service B.C. Centre.

More than 109,000 voters have requested a mail-in ballot.

How to vote in advance of the Oct. 19 election

Opportunities to vote in advance will be available throughOct. 16. Advance voting locations are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Advance voting is closed on Oct. 14 because of Thanksgiving.

You can find a list of advance voting locations across the province here.

Advance voting is an option for all eligible voters and people can vote at any advance voting place in the province, according to Elections B.C. All voting places are wheelchair accessible, Elections B.C. said.

Canadian citizens 18 or older on Oct. 19, 2024, and who have been residents of B.C. since April 18, 2024, are eligible to vote.

Voters must prove their identity and residential address, by showing either their B.C. driver's licence, B.C. identification card, B.C. Services Card (with photo) or other card issued by the government of B.C. or Canada.

They can also present an Indian status card, or provide two official documents that show their name, one of which must have the voter's address. A full list of acceptable documents is available on the Elections B.C. website.

A voter who doesn't have identification can have their identity vouched for by another person who can either be a registered voter or adult relative of the voter.