Can’t go to your local polling station Tuesday because of spring floods or road closures? Elections BC is preparing for that, and handling an increased number of people voting back home while they’re traveling.
Rapid melting after a long, cold winter has disrupted communities as May 9 voting day arrives, and Elections BC has set up a page for those who may have to change plans due to emergency. It reminds eligible voters that they can cast a ballot for their home constituency from any region of the province, and recommends taking your “where to vote” card with you if possible.
The trend toward voting in advance polls continued with record turnout of more than 614,000 people voting early. That’s up from 367,000 in 2013 and 290,000 in the 2009 B.C. election. Advance voting stations attracted lineups in some places while they operated, April 29-30 and May 3-6.
Voting by mail has also been available since the campaign formally began April 11.
Polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Tuesday. Voters must show identification, one of driver’s licence, B.C. identification card or B.C. Services Card. If no photo identification, voters can present two documents such as utility bills that show their name. At least one must show the address.
There are just over three million people eligible to vote in 2017, and based on the last two elections, about half of them will take the time to vote.