You can vote in-person in the BC election starting this week

While election day in BC is on October 24, voters unable to make it to the polls that day or who wish to vote in-person before then can do so starting this week. Advance voting officially opens across the province on Thursday, October 15.

This year, to reduce the number of voters at any given voting place, Elections BC has added an additional day of advance voting (seven days total, up from six in the last election in 2017).

Advance voting will run from October 15 until October 21, from 8 am to 8pm. However, Elections BC is reminding people that “some advance voting places may not be open on every advance voting day.”

As such, before heading to their local polling station, voters are being reminded to ensure their station is open, using the Elections BC guide.

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Anyone voting in person can expect capacity limits at the voting place, protective barriers, hand sanitizing stations, and increased sanitization protocols around frequently touched surfaces.

Physical distancing measures will also be in place, and election officials (who are trained on safe workplace guidelines and pandemic protocols) will be wearing personal protective equipment (PPE). Everyone is encouraged to wear a mask when they vote and will not be asked to remove it at any point.

Instead of signing a voting book, you’ll now make a verbal declaration of your eligibility to vote. Election officials will direct you on where to go next, and you’ll be asked to sanitize your hands before and after voting.

All you need to bring with you is acceptable ID that shows your name and address. You can also bring your Where to Vote card if you received it in the mail, and, if you want, your own pen or pencil to mark your ballot.