B.C. election: Advance polls open for final day

LANGLEY, B.C. — Wednesday is the last day to vote early in B.C.’s provincial election.

Advance polls close at 8 p.m. after seeing record numbers of ballots cast over previous days.

Elections B.C. said the turnout is not surprising as advance voting has become increasingly popular in the past few elections.

“Oct. 10 was the highest turnout at an advanced voting day we’ve seen in a B.C. election, with 171,000 advanced votes cast that day. And then again, on Oct. 11, we broke a record with 155,000 cast,” said Andrew Watson, a spokesperson for Elections B.C.

As of Wednesday morning 778,000 advance votes had been cast according to Elections BC.

“Advanced voting is becoming more popular. I think a lot of voters are attracted to the convenience. They've got six days to choose from,” said Watson.

The five ridings with the highest turnout have all been on Vancouver Island.

However, some experts argue the strong turnout at advance polls is not an indication of increased enthusiasm among voters.

“The people who vote early are the people who would vote anyway. It's not as if this is attracting a new part of the electorate,” said Richard Johnston, a political science professor at the University of British Columbia.

Johnston says he is not expecting to see overall voter turnout to be higher than the 54 per cent seen in the 2020 election.

“I don't see John Rustad in particular, as being able to mobilize a massive wave of discontent, which would be kind of what would be necessary to get a big gain and turnout. So, I'm guessing it's going to be the same sort of sadly apathetic electorate as before,” he told CTV News.

The common theme at ballot box in the riding of Langley-Willowbrook appeared to be change.

Bob Hunter served as an RCMP officer for 20 years.

He told CTV News he was concerned about what he views as an uptick in crime.

“Home invasions, robberies, murders, that latest burst that the amount of police came out with about the Indian influence in the crimes, extortion and murders like, come on, we gotta focus on that,” said Hunter.

His wife Lois agreed and said there were other key issues influencing her vote.

“The health-care system and just the general lack of civility among people.”

Housing and affordability were also highlighted by most voters interviewed.

“Even you know, well-educated, hard-working people still struggle to make it a reality. It is something that's very important, because otherwise it's going to be a deterrent for people that are my age and younger,” said Liam Berti.

Berti has started a family since the last election and he says that his kid’s future was top of mind when he cast his ballot.

“Something like that festers up and builds up for a while. And so I just wanted to get it done and out of the way, but it's sort of cathartic to finally cast that vote,” said Berti.

Thelma Kennedy was also concerned for the future of her three kids.

“The affordability of housing for our young people, you know, they really don't have a fighting chance here,” said Kennedy.

There are more than 300 advance voting places across the province open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

Voters can also vote at any district electoral office in the province, either on Oct. 17 or 18th.

Saturday, Oct. 19 is B.C.’s actual election day and the last opportunity for voters to cast their ballots.

Elections BC says it will have more than 1,000 locations available that day.

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