By Jill Sperling

Advance voting opens this weekend

Apr 28, 2017 | 7:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — It’s your democratic right to vote, but according to Elections BC only 55 per cent of eligible voters cast a ballot during the last provincial general election. 

This time around voting is easier than ever, with two additional advance voting days, and plenty of options for those unable to make it into a polling station. 

It’s an important vote, and Elections BC is making sure every eligible has the opportunity to have their say. 

“There’s vote by mail, and that’s advertised through the website, there is advance voting, there’s in office voting, we visit care homes,” said Sandra Sugden, district electoral officer for Kamloops-South Thompson. 

Sound Off

SOUND OFF: The NDP's mishandling of drug use in B.C. hospitals

5h ago

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: Who would survive if we had a recall law for City councils?

14h ago

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Strengthening our wildfire training

Apr 17, 2024

Anyone can vote from any polling station in the province. Absentee votes are counted 13 days after election day. 

For the early bird, or those unavailable on election day itself, advance voting opens this weekend. 

“The elderly will choose the advance because it’s not as busy, so there’s no waiting in line,” Sugden said, “handicapped people choose advance because often the advance poll is more easily accessible.”

Advance voting stations will be set up in a number of locations in the two Kamloops electoral districts. Most will be open Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and again from Wednesday to the following Saturday. 

In the 2013 provincial election, approximately 20 per cent of votes cast were done so through advance voting. 

Registered voters should remember their ‘Where to Vote’ cards and identification. 

Those who haven’t registered can do so when they go to vote. 

“As long as they meet the qualifications: 18 years of age, a Canadian citizen, a resident of British Columbia for the last at least six months they can vote.”

Need to know where to vote? Click either riding below!

• Kamloops-North Thompson
• Kamloops-South Thompson