British Columbians who are opting to vote in-person for the upcoming Oct. 24 election can head to the polls starting Thursday.
The advance voting option will be available to residents for the next seven days, spanning from October 15 to October 21.
In total, British Columbians will have one extra day this election, compared to 2017, to cast their ballots during the advance polling period.
Elections BC has added the extra day in order to give British Columbians more time to vote while also contributing to new safety protocols.
In-person advanced polling will be available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on the days the polling stations are open, however, Elections BC notes that not every polling station will be open all seven days of the advance voting period.
To learn more about advance voting place information, voters can check out this list on the Elections BC website or use the Where to Vote app.
Elections BC is asking British Columbians who will be voting in-person to bring identification and the Where to Vote card that is being sent in the mail.
In addition, Elections BC is advising that voters bring their own pen or pencil to mark ballots. Officials are also recommending that British Columbians wear a mask to the polls, however, it is not mandatory.
Election officials ask for anyone who is feeling ill or is self-isolating to not visit a voting place.
As many British Columbians prepare to cast their vote in person this week, thousands of others have already sent ballots in through the mail-in option.
Elections BC stated earlier this week that they’ve received an estimated 138,500 vote-by-mail packages, representing approximately 21% of packages issued to date.
The voting agency says that it has received nearly 700,000 mail-in requests from British Columbians who wish to mail in their ballot. Due to the heightened volume of requests, officials have said that there is a chance British Columbians receive their mail-in voting package after the recommended return date of October 17.
Elections BC is recommending that if voters receive their mail-in package after the October 17 deadline, they should plan on returning their package in-person to a designated drop-off location or vote in person during advance voting or on Election Day.
Graham Cox
