Advance polls are open at a range of locations across the region for the 2026 Provincial Election. (Image Credit: Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Alex Rawnsley

dual voting

Advance voting open for 2026 Provincial Election

Oct 16, 2026 | 9:40 AM

NANAIMO — Twenty-four hours before voters head to the polls to elect new local representatives, advance voting for provincial positions has opened.

A six-day advance voting period opens Friday, Oct. 16, through Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day, ahead of general election day on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Unlike the municipal election, numerous advance voting locations are present in each riding.

In Nanaimo-Gabriola Island, ballots can be cast at The Moose Lodge #1052 (1356 Cranberry Ave.), South Wellington Community Centre (2195 South Wellington Rd.), St. Paul’s Anglican Church (100 Chapel St.), VIU Building 300 (900 Fifth St.), and at the Gabriola Island Community Centre (2200 South Rd.)

Voters in Nanaimo-Lantzville are directed to Nanaimo North Town Centre (4750 Rutherford Rd.), Wellington Hall (3922 Corunna Ave.) or Costin Hall (7232 Lantzville Rd.)

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Ladysmith-Oceanside ballots are being collected at Parksville’s Jensen Centre (132 Jensen Ave. E), and Winchelsea Learning Centre (140 Renz Rd.), Qualicum Beach’s Kwalikum Secondary School (266 Village Way), Ladysmith’s Saltair Community Centre (3850 South Oyster School Rd.).

Voters east of Cameron Lake in Mid Island Pacific Rim can vote at the Lighthouse Community Centre in Bowser (240 Lions Way) or Coombs Fairground Activity Hall (1014 Ford Rd.)

A complete list of advance voting locations is available here through Election BC.

Voter turnout in local ridings was strong for the 2024 provincial election, with all four ridings seeing notable increases from 2020.

Ladysmith-Oceanside saw 67.19 per cent turnout, with Nanaimo-Lantzville behind at 64.31 per cent, Mid-Island Pacific Rim seeing 59.62 per cent and Nanaimo-Gabriola at 58.86 per cent.

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by Alex Rawnsley

Advance voting open for 2026 Provincial Election

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