How to vote in the BC election
October 21, 2020
By: Meghan Rooney
With just a few days left, and the mail-in deadline now passed, we wanted to go over how to vote in the B.C. election on or before October 24. Every vote counts, especially if you are voting for wild salmon, so we hope you can make it to the polls!
If you have a vote-by-mail package
Completed vote-by-mail packages must be received by Elections BC before 8 p.m. (Pacific time) on Saturday, October 24. It is too late to pop your vote-by-mail package in the mail now, but you can still drop them off at any district electoral office, voting place or participating Service BC location. If you envelope is sealed, you can ask someone else to drop off your vote-by-mail package for you.
Where to drop off your vote-by-mail package
- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (local time) during advance voting, October 15-21
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (local time) October 22-23
- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pacific time) on General Voting Day, October 24
- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (local time) during advance voting, October 15-21
- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pacific time) on General Voting Day, October 24
Participating Service BC locations
- Locations with 24-hour drop boxes will collect vote-by-mail packages until 8 p.m. on General Voting Day, October 24
- Locations without drop boxes have varying hours. Verify the hours for your local office with Service BC.
(Note: Vote-by-mail packages cannot be dropped off at Service BC locations in Surrey, Vancouver or Burnaby. Voters in these areas wishing to return their package in person should return it at a district electoral office or voting place.)
NB. A number of people have told us that their package arrived with a sealed envelope. Elections BC has said that if the envelopes are sealed, you may carefully open the seals and tape them closed. Your package will not be rejected if it is taped shut.
How do I vote in person?
Voting in person in COVID-19 requires social distancing, and ideally a mask (though it is not mandatory). You will be directed to use hand sanitizer before and after voting. You are allowed to bring your own pen or pencil, and some other accommodations will be in place. Because of a record number of vote-by-mail packages, and many advance voting opportunities, election day will likely be less crowded than in previous elections, and the number of voters at stations will be restricted according to social distancing requirements. If you need to register or update your voter information, you can do so in person when you vote.
Where do I vote?
You can search for your electoral district by your postal code, the name of the district if you know it, by the candidate’s name, or by using a map. All options are on the Elections B.C. site, which is easy to use and self-explanatory.
For assistance, contact Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683.
Still undecided? Check out the party platforms
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How to vote in the BC election
October 21, 2020
By: Meghan Rooney
With just a few days left, and the mail-in deadline now passed, we wanted to go over how to vote in the B.C. election on or before October 24. Every vote counts, especially if you are voting for wild salmon, so we hope you can make it to the polls!
If you have a vote-by-mail package
Completed vote-by-mail packages must be received by Elections BC before 8 p.m. (Pacific time) on Saturday, October 24. It is too late to pop your vote-by-mail package in the mail now, but you can still drop them off at any district electoral office, voting place or participating Service BC location. If you envelope is sealed, you can ask someone else to drop off your vote-by-mail package for you.
Where to drop off your vote-by-mail package
- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (local time) during advance voting, October 15-21
- 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (local time) October 22-23
- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pacific time) on General Voting Day, October 24
- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (local time) during advance voting, October 15-21
- 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pacific time) on General Voting Day, October 24
Participating Service BC locations
- Locations with 24-hour drop boxes will collect vote-by-mail packages until 8 p.m. on General Voting Day, October 24
- Locations without drop boxes have varying hours. Verify the hours for your local office with Service BC.
(Note: Vote-by-mail packages cannot be dropped off at Service BC locations in Surrey, Vancouver or Burnaby. Voters in these areas wishing to return their package in person should return it at a district electoral office or voting place.)
NB. A number of people have told us that their package arrived with a sealed envelope. Elections BC has said that if the envelopes are sealed, you may carefully open the seals and tape them closed. Your package will not be rejected if it is taped shut.
How do I vote in person?
Voting in person in COVID-19 requires social distancing, and ideally a mask (though it is not mandatory). You will be directed to use hand sanitizer before and after voting. You are allowed to bring your own pen or pencil, and some other accommodations will be in place. Because of a record number of vote-by-mail packages, and many advance voting opportunities, election day will likely be less crowded than in previous elections, and the number of voters at stations will be restricted according to social distancing requirements. If you need to register or update your voter information, you can do so in person when you vote.
Where do I vote?
You can search for your electoral district by your postal code, the name of the district if you know it, by the candidate’s name, or by using a map. All options are on the Elections B.C. site, which is easy to use and self-explanatory.
For assistance, contact Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683.
