Advance voting in Vancouver’s municipal election begins Saturday as mail ballot requests top 18,000

Advance voting in Vancouver’s municipal election begins Saturday, Oct. 3. The City of Vancouver says demand for mail ballot packages has reached a record, with requests surpassing 18,000 as of Friday. That is more than 70 per cent above the 10,523 packages requested for the entire 2022 civic election. The deadline to request a mail ballot is approaching.

Voters may cast a ballot at any of 59 advance voting locations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 3, 7, 10 and 13. The final voting opportunity is election day, Saturday, Oct. 17, when 85 voting places will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Municipal elections are also taking place across British Columbia that day, with many communities opening advance polls this weekend.

One week later, on Saturday, Oct. 24, voters across B.C. will return to the polls for the snap provincial general election to elect an MLA for their riding. Advance voting in the provincial election begins one day before civic election day.

In Vancouver’s municipal election, voters will choose a mayor, city councillors, Vancouver Park Board commissioners and Vancouver School Board trustees. They will also vote on two separate plebiscites, including capital plan borrowing questions to fund new and upgraded facilities and infrastructure. A separate, non-binding public safety plebiscite will ask voters for their views on public hard-drug use and a proposed secure medical treatment facility for people with mental health and addiction issues.

Vancouver voters may vote at any location, not only one in their neighbourhood. The City’s online voting map lists locations and dates. Information on voting times and places, eligibility, required identification and mail voting is also available from the City.