How to vote in Vancouver's October 2026 municipal election and plebiscites | Daily Hive

How to vote in the City of Vancouver's October 2026 municipal election and plebiscites on the capital plan and public safety

Map of City of Vancouver's voting locations for the October 2026 civic election during advance voting days and civic election day. (City of Vancouver)

In October 2026, voters in the City of Vancouver and across the province will be heading to the polls twice for two separate elections.

The first visit to the polls will be on civic election day on Saturday, Oct. 17, followed exactly a week later by the completely separate provincial general election day on Saturday, Oct. 24.

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Voting for mayor, City Council, Park Board, and School Board, and the capital plan and public safety plebiscites

During the Vancouver civic election on Saturday, Oct. 17, voters will elect their next elected municipal officials in the city. They can choose one Vancouver mayor, 10 Vancouver city councillors, seven Vancouver Park Board commissioners, and nine Vancouver School Board trustees.

There are a total of 130 candidates running for these positions, and they will appear on the first ballot form in a random non-alphabetical order previously determined by a random draw. On the same ballot form, there will also be three yes-or-no questions asking whether Vancouver’s municipal government can borrow a combined $790 million to help fund new and improved community and recreational facilities and infrastructure under the 2027-2030 capital plan.

A second ballot form provided to each voter will contain two non-binding advisory public safety plebiscite questions concerning public hard drug use and a proposed secure medical facility providing voluntary and involuntary care for people experiencing mental health and addictions issues. Those results will formally indicate voters’ views, but will not change laws or require the next makeup of Vancouver City Council to act.

Mayor Ken Sim during ABC’s press conference on Aug. 13, 2026, announcing the public safety plebiscite during the October 2026 civic election. (Kenneth Chan)

When and where to vote during the four advance voting days and civic election day

Ahead of civic election day, there are also other ways voters can cast their ballots.

To reduce the likelihood of long lines, which was a major issue in the April 2025 byelection, the City has significantly expanded its advance voting locations for this civic election, supported by a total election operations budget of $9.4 million — double the amount spent for the October 2022 civic election.

Advance voting in this 2026 civic election will be available at 59 locations from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3; Wednesday, Oct. 7; Saturday, Oct. 10; and Tuesday, Oct. 13.

On civic election day on Saturday, Oct. 17, which is the final opportunity to vote, there will be 85 voting places operating from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For both advance voting and civic election day, Vancouver voters can cast their ballot at any voting place in the city, without being restricted to their own neighbourhood. The City’s online voting map allows people to check locations and voting dates before heading out.

vancouver civic election voting locations october 2026 map

Map of City of Vancouver’s voting locations for the October 2026 civic election during advance voting days and civic election day. (City of Vancouver)

For voters who need assistance, supports include priority lines to skip the longer queue, help marking a ballot, and curbside voting at most locations for people unable to enter because of a disability or health concerns.

Eligibility to vote and valid identification

To be eligible to vote, a Vancouver voter must be a Canadian citizen, be at least 18 years old on Saturday, Oct. 17, and have lived in British Columbia for at least six months immediately before registering. They must live in Vancouver and cannot be legally disqualified from voting.

There is no minimum length of time someone must have lived within Vancouver itself.

People living elsewhere in B.C. may also qualify if they have owned property registered in their name in Vancouver for at least 30 days before registering. Additional non-resident property voter rules apply: only one owner per property can register in this category, and jointly owned properties require written consent from a majority of owners.

Registered voters should bring the Voter Information Card mailed to them in September 2026 to help speed up the check-in process at the voting location.

Those who are not registered can sign up at a voting place. They need two acceptable pieces of identification, both showing their name. At least one must also show their address, and at least one must show their signature.

Acceptable documents include a B.C. driver’s licence, Canadian passport, bank statement, or utility bill, provided the combination meets those requirements. Electronic utility bills displayed on a phone are accepted. The City’s voter guide also states people with only one piece of identification can make a solemn declaration confirming their identity and address.

thunderbird community centre vancouver city council by-election line april 5 2025 voting election f

Long snaking line at the Thunderbird Community Centre polling station for the Vancouver City Council by-election on April 5, 2025. (Kenneth Chan)

Mail-in voting

Voting by mail remains another option. Requests made online or by calling 3-1-1 to have a ballot package mailed out must be completed by noon on Monday, Oct. 5.

Voters can request a package for pickup at the Election Office until noon on Tuesday, Oct. 13, with the pickup deadline set for noon on Friday, Oct. 16.

Completed mail ballots must reach the City by 8 pm on Saturday, Oct. 17 to be counted; a postmark before the deadline is not enough. Packages can be returned by mail or through designated drop boxes.

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