Record advance voting in Vancouver ahead of October 17 municipal election

Voter enthusiasm surged during advance voting in Vancouver, setting a brand-new record for turnout across the city.

On October 3, Vancouver held its first advance voting day with 59 polling stations open across the city. According to the City of Vancouver, this year's advance voting drew the largest voter turnout ever recorded, shattering previous benchmarks.

City officials reported that approximately 21,824 people cast their ballots on Saturday, marking a 196 per cent increase compared to the first advance voting day in 2022. "Together, we achieved a new record for advance voting," the city said in a statement.

Advance voting will continue on October 7, October 10, and October 13, with polls open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Additionally, requests for vote-by-mail ballots have reached record levels. An online statement from the City of Vancouver revealed that more than 18,000 vote-by-mail packages have been requested—a more than 70 per cent increase over the 2022 Vancouver municipal election. A full list of polling locations remains available online.

General election day is scheduled for October 17.