Vancouver expands election outreach ahead of Oct. 17 vote

The City of Vancouver is expanding outreach ahead of the Oct. 17 municipal election, with staff set to attend about 60 events at community centres, libraries and farmers' markets.

Outreach co-ordinator Haley Cairns said the aim is to make voting information easier to access, particularly for people who face barriers. She said staff have met residents who did not know an election was approaching and others who had never voted before.

Advance voting will be held Oct. 3, 7, 10 and 13. Residents can also vote by mail, including if they expect to be away during the election period.

The city has increased the number of voting centres and hired more than 2,200 election workers. It is preparing for full turnout, with 59 advance voting locations and 85 locations open on election day. A May 11 city memo estimated the 2026 election would cost about $9.4 million from the Election Reserve.