B.C. voting stations affected by power outages reopened - Action News
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British Columbia

B.C. voting stations affected by power outages reopened

A handful of voting stations were temporarily closed due to power outages on Saturday morning during the final day of B.C.s provincial election, while the only station in Dease Lake was fully closed because an election official had travel difficulties.

The Dease Lake polling station remains closed after an election official couldn't get there

two people walk into a building beside an election sign
The opening hours of some polling stations were reduced due to power outages on the last day of the B.C. election. (The Canadian Press)

Several voting stations were temporarily closed by power outages Saturday during the final day of B.C.'s provincial election,while another was fully closed due to an election official's travel difficulties.

The power outage closures came amid an atmospheric river that drenchedthe South Coast and central Interior, causing flooding on roads and downing power lines in some areas.

Most of the stations that faced temporary closures reopened by the afternoon.

However, Elections B.C. reported that theonly polling station in Dease Lakewas fully closed Saturdaybecause the person who was trained to run it wasn't able to get there due to the weather and road conditions.

Although Dease Lake wasn't affected by Environment Canada weather advisories,light snow fell in the region on Saturday.

About 180 voters in the Bulkley Valley-Stikine riding are registered to vote at the Dease Lake Community Hall, Elections B.C. spokesperson Andrew Watson said. Their alternative will be to vote by phone, he said.

The nearest alternativein-person polling stationto Dease Lake is about an hour's drive away.

"Assisted telephone voting is typically limited to voters that meet certain criteria, such as having sight loss or a health condition that prevents them from voting by other means," Watson said.

"It is also an option for voters in emergency or exceptional circumstances who would not otherwise be able to vote."

Elections B.C. is asking voters affected by the closure to call them at 1-800-661-8683 for information on how to vote.

A person is seen from behind entering a community centre on a rainy day.
People enter a polling station to vote in Vancouver, on Saturday, October 19, 2024. (Ethan Cairns/The Canadian Press)

Acknowledging thepolling stations that were temporarily closed by power outages,Watson said election officials are equipped to run voting locations without electricity, if necessary.

"As long as it's safe to continue to administer voting in a location where there's been a power outage, officials can go to a manual, paper-based process and continue to serve voters."

Watson said that Elections B.C. had no plans to extend voting hours at the stations affected by the temporaryclosures.

Thefollowing polls were closed due to power outages earlier in the day, but were reopened:

  • R.L. Clemitson Elementary School, Kamloops-North Thompson
  • Dallas Elementary School, Kamloops-North Thompson
  • Donna Gabriel Robins Elementary School, Langley-Walnut Grove
  • Hornby Island Community Hall, Mid Island-Pacific Rim
  • Denman Island Seniors Hall,Mid Island-Pacific Rim
  • Mayne Island Community Centre,Saanich North and the Islands

In addition, the G.E. Darby United Churchpolling station for the North Coast-Haida Gwaiiriding was temporarily closed due to election official availability, although it was reopened by midday.

The most up-to-date information on polling stations is available on the Elections B.C. website.