Advance voting is underway in Surrey and White Rock, with more dates scheduled

Advance voting for the civic elections began Wednesday morning in Surrey and White Rock. Surrey has 10 voting locations open for 12-hour periods, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., on Oct. 7, 10, 14 and 15: Kwantlen Park Secondary; Guildford Recreation Centre; Fraser Heights Recreation Centre; Fleetwood Community Centre; Frank Hurt Secondary; Princess Margaret Secondary; Ecole Panorama Ridge Secondary; Cloverdale Recreation Centre; Semiahmoo Secondary; and Earl Marriott Secondary.

Surrey Chief Election Officer Gib van Ert said the number of advance voting locations increased from six in the 2022 election to 10 in 2026 in response to greater demand. He said about 35,000 electors voted in advance in 2022, out of roughly 123,000 total voters. That was close to 30 per cent, while about 70 per cent voted on general voting day. Van Ert said officials may see more advance voting with the added locations, which is what they anticipate, but they will see how it goes. He said advance voting is a popular option.

On general voting day, Saturday, Oct. 17, Surrey will have 52 voting locations across the city. The list is available at surrey.ca. Eligible voters can request a mail ballot package until Wednesday, Oct. 14. There are 97 candidates on Surrey’s ballot: seven for mayor, 66 for council and 23 for school trustee.

In White Rock, advance voting is scheduled for Oct. 7, 8 and 13 at Centennial Arena, 14600 North Bluff Rd. The location will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters will elect a mayor, six councillors and one school trustee. Details are available at whiterockcity.ca/election.

Delta’s advance voting began Saturday, Oct. 3, and ends Wednesday, Oct. 7. The four locations are Delta City Hall, North Delta Centre for the Arts, South Delta Recreation Centre and East Delta Hall.