Vancouver voters turned out in record numbers on the first day of advance voting in the municipal election Saturday, according to officials. A preliminary count showed 21,824 people cast ballots at polling places around the city—an increase of almost 200 per cent from the first day of advance voting in 2022, a spokesperson for the City of Vancouver told CTV News, in an email. “Together, we achieved a new record for advance voting,” the statement said. Advance voting will also be available on Oct. 7, Oct. 10, and Oct. 13 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. A list of the 59 locations can be found online. The City of Vancouver has also said a record number of vote-by-mail requests had been received by Oct. 1. “Requests for vote by mail packages have reached more than 18,000, an increase of more than 70 per cent over the 2022 Vancouver election total of 10,523,” according to an online statement. More information on how to vote by mail is available online. The city’s website noted the ballot is “long and complex.” There are 130 candidates listed and voters are asked to choose one mayor, 10 councillors, nine school board trustees, and seven park board commissioners. This year voters are also being asked to answer two plebiscite questions and several capital borrowing questions. Election day is Oct. 17.
