Elections B.C. is doing double duty this month, preparing for the provincial election while advance voting in the municipal election is already taking place. (Image Credit: File photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Jordan Davidson

election prep

Voter information on it’s way for 2026 provincial election

Oct 8, 2026 | 9:30 AM

NANAIMO — While advance voting in the ongoing municipal election began this week, voters also need to prepare for the upcoming provincial election.

The Oct. 24 vote to elect new Members of the Legislative Assembly will also see advance voting opportunities running in conjunction with local elections across the province.

Colleen Hildebrandt with Elections B.C. said the final list has 355 provincial candidates running this year, up from 322 in the 2024 provincial election.

“We have sent out our voter guide across the province, people should expect to see those in their mailboxes this week. We also are issuing the where-to-vote card, so anyone that has already registered to vote or that is already on the voters list will be receiving that early next week. And on that card, as well as on our website, is all the details and information for advance voting, final voting locations, and the district electoral office.”

She said locations to vote in advance or on the day of should be similar to past locations, and voters can go to elections.bc.ca to check or update their voter registration status.

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Advance voting for the 2026 provincial election runs from Oct. 16th to the 21st, with general voting day on Oct. 24th.

Hildebrandt said it’ll take up to two weeks after Oct. 24 for the final voting numbers to be totalled.

“What we do after the ballots are cast is we go through a pretty extensive verification process. That includes ensuring that anyone that has voted has only voted once. It also includes verifying the information and ensuring that the ballots are valid. For example, if somebody didn’t mark it appropriately, we need to make sure and verify all of that information.”

She said they’re still looking to hire people in various positions for the election, including election officials and office staff, with vacancies more common in rural locations.

Positions are available for anyone 15 years old or older and legally entitled to work in B.C.

Anyone interested can visit elections.bc.ca/job.

— with files from Jon de Roo, 97.3 The Eagle.

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by Jordan Davidson

Voter information on it’s way for 2026 provincial election

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