Vancouver advance voting ends with nearly 104,000 voters after four record days

Nearly 104,000 people voted during the four-day advance-voting period for Vancouver’s 2026 civic election. Preliminary figures released by the City of Vancouver show 29,096 people went to the polls on Oct. 13, setting a new single-day record and completing four consecutive record-breaking advance-voting days. Turnout was 21,824 on Oct. 3, 25,142 on Oct. 7, 27,748 on Oct. 10 and 29,096 on Oct. 13, for a total of 103,810.

The City said advance voting increased by about 60 per cent from roughly 65,000 voters during the 2022 civic election’s advance-voting period. The four-day total is about 61 per cent of the 171,494 ballots cast in the entire 2022 election, including mail-in ballots, advance voting and election day. Despite the much higher turnout, the City said voters reported quick visits to polling stations.

The increase may be partly due to the City’s expansion of advance-voting locations. The 2026 election had four advance-voting days, down from five in 2022, but the number of locations open each day rose from 22 to 59, nearly tripling. Voters can cast a ballot at any location in the city during advance voting and on election day.

It is unclear whether the advance-voting surge will lead to higher overall turnout. The overlapping snap provincial election campaign may have drawn more public attention to both elections. The expanded locations may also have encouraged people who would normally vote on civic election day to cast their ballots earlier. A new public safety plebiscite attached to the civic election may have generated additional interest. Its two non-binding questions ask voters about strengthening enforcement against hard drug use in public spaces and urging the provincial government to create a secure medical treatment facility for people with severe mental health and addiction issues.

Higher turnout can sometimes signal a desire for a change in government, but the unusual factors shaping this year’s civic election make that difficult to conclude from advance-voting figures alone.

Vancouver’s civic election day is Saturday, Oct. 17. Eighty-five voting locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and voters can choose any location in the city. Completed mail-in ballots must be received at one of the City’s designated drop-off locations by 8 p.m. on Oct. 17 to be counted.

Voters will choose a mayor, city councillors, Vancouver Park Board commissioners and Vancouver School Board trustees. They will also vote on two separate plebiscites: the non-binding advisory public safety plebiscite and capital-plan borrowing questions to fund new and upgraded facilities and infrastructure.

In the separate provincial general election, voters will choose the MLA for their riding, helping determine which provincial political party forms government. Provincial election day is Saturday, Oct. 24, with six days of advance voting from Friday, Oct. 16, to Wednesday, Oct. 21.