UPDATE: Polls have closed in for the 2024 B.C. election.
ORIGINAL STORY
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:
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:
- Abbotsford Christian Middle School, 35011 Old Clayburn Rd, Abbotsford, BC
- Auguston Traditional Elementary School, 36367 Stephen Leacock Dr, Abbotsford, BC
- Cedar Valley Mennonite Church, 32860 Cherry Ave, Mission, BC
- Edwin S. Richards Elementary School, 33419 Cherry Ave, Mission, BC
- Hatzic Middle School, 34800 Dewdney Trunk Rd, Mission, BC
- Irene Kelleher Elementary School, 2540 Eagle Mountain Dr , Abbotsford, BC
- Parkside Church, 33837 Prentis Ave, Mission, BC
- Prince Charles Elementary School, 35410 McKee Rd, Abbotsford, BC
- Robert Bateman Secondary School, 35045 Exbury Ave, Abbotsford, BC
- Sandy Hill Elementary School, 3836 Old Clayburn Rd, Abbotsford, BC
- West Heights Elementary School, 32065 Van Velzen Ave, Mission, BC
- École Christine Morrison Elementary School, 32611 McRae Ave, Mission, BC
- École Mission Central Elementary School, 7466 Welton St, Mission, BC
Candidates running in the riding:
Pam Alexis, NDP
Reann Gasper, Conservative
RELATED: Abbotsford-Mission hopefuls spar in all-candidates meeting
RELATED: Candidates finalized for Mission ridings
RELATED: Over 25% of voters cast early ballot for B.C. election in Mission ridings
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 call 1-800-661-8683.
To be eligible, British Columbians must be able to show a piece of identification. For all accepted identification to vote visit: https://elections.bc.ca/2024-provincial-election/voter-id/
Some eligible 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
