Voters across B.C. have come out in solid numbers during the first few days of advanced voting. (Alex Rawnsley/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

ADVANCED VOTING

Turnout strong in Nanaimo during opening two days of advanced voting

Oct 17, 2020 | 7:39 AM

NANAIMO — Advanced voting is well underway in the 42nd BC General Election.

Polls opened at select locations at 8 a.m. on Thursday, Oct. 13 for a longer seven day stretch.

Andrew Watson, communications manager with Elections BC, said the more opportunities they can provide to vote early, the better it will be for voters amid the pandemic.

“The extra day is partially to give voters more opportunity to vote but also as a pandemic response measure. We’re hoping with the extra day it will reduce numbers in voting places on any given day.”

A list of advanced polling locations for the Nanaimo, Nanaimo-North Cowichan and Parksville-Qualicum ridings are available here.

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Locally, lines have been consistently long at polling places through the opening two days.

On Thursday afternoon, voting took approximately 45 minutes at the Beban Park Social Centre advanced polling location for the Nanaimo riding with around 30 people in line at any one time. Similar lines were reported at the Legion on East Wellington Rd. throughout Thursday.

“It’s very well organized and it was really really easy,” Kitty McAllister told NanaimoNewsNOW after taking advantage of a shorter line Friday morning. “Yesterday (Thursday) we drove by and there was a great, long line but today it’s just steady, it’s good.”

McAllister added she was unphased by COVID when it came to voting.

Enhanced procedures are in place at polling stations including floor markings to encourage physical distancing and disinfecting wipe downs of voting booths after each use.

“Don’t use it as an excuse because they’re very well organized…I was very impressed,” McAllister said. “The spacing and hand sanitizer and directions as to exactly how to do it, one person votes at a time.”

Masks are encouraged but not required by Elections BC, who have complimentary masks available upon entry.

“It was great, it was fast, it was quick, efficient, clean. It’s COVID, we’re used to it by now, it’s all good,” Josee Garant said after casting her vote Friday afternoon at Beban Park.

Advanced voting runs through Wednesday, Oct. 21 before general voting day on Saturday, Oct. 24.

Elections BC said almost 105,000 people voted Thursday, down from around 122,000 in 2017. A total of 717,000 mail in ballots have been requested for this election.

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