Update:
The polls have now closed in the 2024 B.C. Election
Original:
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:
For voters in the Cariboo Chilcotin riding the polling stations will be at the following locations:
Cariboo Memorial Rec Complex, 525 Proctor St., Williams Lake
150 Mile Elem School, 3081 Hwy 97, 150 Mile House
Cataline Elem School, 1175 Blair St., Williams Lake
Chilcotin Rd Elem School, 709 Lyne Rd., Williams Lake
Dog Creek Comm Hall, 15 Upper Dog Creek Rd., Dog Creek
Edward Billy Comm Centre, 5269 Edward Billy Way, Dog Creek
Elizabeth Grouse Gym, 2674 Indian Dr., Sugarcane
Mountview Elem School, 1222 Dog Creek Rd,, Williams Lake
Naghtaneqed Elem-Jr Sec School, 8350 Nemiah Valley Rd., Nemaiah Valley
Plummer Residence, 6635 Big Creek Rd., Hanceville
Ramada Williams Lake, 1118 Lakeview Cres., Williams Lake
St. Andrew's United Church, 1000 Huckvale Place, Williams Lake
Tatla Lake Comm Hall, 16452 Highway 20, Tatla Lake
Tl'etinqox School, 6929 School Rd., Alexis Creek
Toosey Admin Office, 2790 Highway 20, Riske Creek
Tsideldel Cultural Centre, 213A South Datsan Dr., Chilanko Forks
Yunesit’in Health Centre, 6623 Taseko Lake Rd., Hanceville
For voters in the Prince George-North Cariboo riding polling stations will be at the following locations:
Big Lake Comm Hall, 4056 Lakeview Rd., Big Lake
Horsefly Elem-Jr Sec School, 3045 Boswell St., Horsefly
Likely Comm Hall, 6281 Rosette Lake Rd., Likely
McLeese Lake Community Hall, 6178 Forglen Rd., McLeese Lake
Miocene Community Centre, 3511 Horsefly Rd., Miocene
Wildwood Volunteer Fire Department, 4253 Wildwood Rd., Wildwood
Candidates running in the Cariboo Chilcotin riding:
Conservative Party of B.C. candidate Lorne Doerkson.
B.C. NDP candidate Michael Moses.
In Prince George North Cariboo riding the candidates are:
B.C. NDP candidate Denice Bardua
Conservative Party of B.C. candidate Sheldon Clare
B.C. Green Party candidate Randy Thompson
Independent Coralee Oakes
Voter registration:
While eligible voters don’t have to register ahead of time to take part in the election, Elections BC recommends British Columbians to 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 identification 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: https://elections.bc.ca/2024-provincial-election/voter-id/
