Vancouver Sets Advance Voting Record in B.C. Municipal Elections
Vancouver voters set a single-day early voting record as British Columbia holds municipal elections alongside a controversial provincial snap election.
Municipal elections are underway across British Columbia, with general voting scheduled for October 17, 2026. In Vancouver, 55 candidates are competing for 10 city council seats, with platforms ranging from ABC Vancouver's focus on public safety to the progressive housing and affordability goals of COPE and OneCity.
Vancouver voters set a new single-day early voting record on October 7, 2026, with an estimated 25,142 ballots cast. This surpassed the previous record of 21,824 set on October 3. City officials reported that advance turnout for the first two days significantly exceeded 2022 levels, with the first day seeing a 196 percent increase and Wednesday seeing a 139 percent increase. The city attributed low wait times to the implementation of more and larger polling locations.
Across Vancouver Island, 36 municipalities and seven regional districts are participating in advance voting, though Port McNeill is the only municipality without voting because its officials were acclaimed. Other regional municipalities, including Surrey, Burnaby, and New Westminster, also conducted advance voting on Wednesday.
These local contests are occurring alongside a provincial snap election called by NDP Leader David Eby. The Union of B.C. Municipalities criticized the timing of the provincial call, arguing it could overshadow the municipal elections.
