It’s officially Election Day in B.C.’s 2024 provincial election.
After a record-breaking turnout during advanced voting, BC Votes 2024 is likely going to be one for the history books. This also marks the first provincial election with new riding boundaries, which increased the number of seats in the legislature to 93 from 87.
Roughly 1,001,331 people cast their ballot during the six days of advanced voting that ended Wednesday, compared to 671,231 in the 2020 snap election.
The total number of vote-by-mail ballots has not been released by Elections BC. In 2020, 478,900 returned vote-by-mail packages by deadline, roughly 66 per cent of packages requested.
This election, B.C. has also moved to electronic voting tabulation, in efforts to streamline voting and results. However, in close races, ballots will be recounted by hand.
Final counting of votes is set for Oct. 26-28.
Haven’t voted? There’s still time. Here’s what you need to know:
Polling locations (alphabetically):
Voting places will be available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. This year, voters can cast their ballot at any voting location.
BELLA BELLA: G.E. Darby United Church, 220 Wabalisla St.
BELLA COOLA: Moose Hall 272, Hwy 20.
DAAJING GIIDS: Daajing Giids Community Hall, 134 Bay St.
DENNY ISLAND: The Shearwater Resort & Marina, 1 Shearwater Rd.
DIGBY ISLAND: Dodge Cove School House 38
HARTLEY BAY: Gitga'at First Nation Band Office, 445 Hayimlisaxaa Way.
HAGENSBORG: Hagensborg Royal Canadian Legion, 1855 Hwy 20.
KITKATLA: Kitkatla Community Hall, 57 Ocean Rd.
KLEMTU: House of Wolves, 86 Klemtu Rd.
LAX KW'ALAAMS: Lax Kw'alaams Recreation Centre, 1600 Church St.
MASSET: Howard Phillips Community Hall, 1590 Cook St.
OLD MASSETT: Kwiiyaans Community Hall, 348 Eagle Ave.
METLAKATLA: Metlakatla Community Hall, 192 Wil Gyeks Rd.
OCEAN FALLS: Ocean Falls Court House, 1 Marine Dr.
OONA RIVER: Oona River Community Hall, 1351 Oona River Rd.
PORT CLEMENTS: Port Clements Community Hall, 120 Bayview Dr.
PORT EDWARD: Port Edward Community Centre, 770 Pacific Ave.
PRINCE RUPERT: Jim Ciccone Civic Centre Auditorium, 1000 McBride St.
RIVERS INLET: Wuikinuxv Village Admin Office, 700 Oweekeno Village Rd.
SANDSPIT: Sandspit Community Hall, 411 Alliford Bay Rd.
SKIDEGATE: Skidegate Community Hall, 102 Front St.
TLELL: Tlell Fire Hall, 36542 Hwy 16.
Candidates running in the riding (alphabetically):
DAVIDSON, Tamara: NDP
SANKEY, Chris: Conservative Party
Voter registration:
While eligible voters don’t have to register ahead of time to take part in the election, Elections BC recommends British Columbians sign up ahead of time in order to avoid lengthy lineups.
Voters can register or update their information online at elections.bc.ca/ovr or by calling 1-800-661-8683.
Some eligible forms of identification include:
- A B.C. driver’s licence
- A B.C. Identification Card
- A B.C. Services Card, with photo
- A Certificate of Indian Status
- Another card issued by the B.C. government, or Canada, that shows your name, photo and address
For a full list of acceptable proof of identity visit Elections BC.
