UPDATE: Polls have now closed at 8 p.m.
Stay tuned to the Campbell River Mirror for up-to-the-minute results.
--------------------------------------------------------
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% 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:
Alert Bay Community Hall, 185 Cedar St., Alert Bay
Blind Channel Resort, Waterfront, Thurlow
Campbell River Community Centre, 401 11th Ave, Campbell River
Campbell River Sportsplex, 1800 S. Alder Street, Campbell River
Chatham Channel Post Office, Minstrel Island
Cortes Island School, 950 Beesley Rd., Mansons Landing
Dzawada̱ ʼenux̱ w Band Office, 21 Gwa-yee Village, Kingcome Inlet,
Eagles Branch 3097 - Fearing Hall, 1999 14th Ave., Campbell River
Elder's Bldg Gwa'Sala'-Nakwaxda'xw, 150 Tsulquate IR Rd., Port Hardy
Gerry Morgan Memorial Centre, 350 Muchalat Dr, Gold River
Holberg Community Hall, 1 Main St., Holberg
Kelsey Centre, 652 Hkusam Way, Sayward
Kyuquot Band Office - Health Clinic, 240 Kyuquot IR Rd., Kyuguot
Ocean Grove Elementary School, 3773 McLelan Rd., Campbell River
Port Allice Community Hall, 951 Marine Drive, Port Alice
Port Hardy Civic Centre, 7450 Columbia St., Port Hardy
Quadra Island Community Centre, 970 West Rd., Quadra Island
Quatsino Elementary School, 150 W. Quatsino Rd., Quatsino
Sandowne Elementary School, 699 Sandowne Drive, Campbell River
Sointula Athletic Hall, 110 13th Ave., Sointula
St. Peter's Anglican Church Hall, 228 S. Dogwood St., Campbell River
Sunset Elementary School, 2433 Mountview Cres., Port McNeill
Tahsis Rec Centre, 285 Alpine View Rd., Tahsis
The Bunkhouse, 5 Read Island, Read Island
Willow Point Lions Community Hall, 2165 Island Highway S., Campbell River
Winter Harbour Community Building, 136 Winter Harbour Rd., Winter Harbour
Woss Lake Rec Hall, 4502 MacRae Dr., Woss
Zeballos Community Centre, 161 Maquinna Ave, Zeballos
Ḵwax̱ wa̱ lawadi Echo Bay Marina, Echo Bay Marina and Lodge, Echo Bay
Candidates running in the riding:
Michele Babchuk, B.C. NDP
Dr. Anna Kindy, Conservative Party of B.C.
Nic Dudeluk, Green Party of B.C.
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 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 identification to vote includes:
- 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 all accepted identification to vote visit here: elections.bc.ca/2024-provincial-election/voter-id/.