Vancouver breaks its own advance voting record again, with 25,142 ballots cast on October 7
The city set a new single-day record on the second advance voting day, surpassing the record it set just four days earlier. Two more advance voting days remain before October 17.
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Vancouver set a new single-day advance voting record on Wednesday, October 7, when 25,142 people cast ballots at advance voting locations across the city, according to the City's preliminary figures as reported by Daily Hive on October 8. That figure broke the previous all-time record of 21,824, which had been set just four days earlier on October 3.
The City of Vancouver released preliminary figures confirming the new record. October 7 was the second of the five scheduled advance voting days for the 2026 civic election.
How October 7 compares to past elections
Daily Hive reports that October 7 saw a 139 per cent increase over the 10,502 people who voted on the equivalent second advance voting day in the 2022 civic election. The two-day combined total stands at 46,966, based on the City's preliminary figures. That is already 72 per cent of the 65,127 ballots cast across all five advance voting days in 2022, according to the same article.
The City noted that wait times on October 7 remained low, despite the much higher volume. It opened 59 advance voting locations for this election, up from 22 in 2022. The City is also running the election on a budget of $9.4 million, more than double the 2022 election budget, with the larger investment covering more locations and more technology at each site.
What comes next
Two advance voting days remain before October 17:
- Saturday, October 10: polls open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
- Tuesday, October 13: polls open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Vancouver voters can use any advance voting location in the city on those days; you are not limited to a location near your home address. On general voting day, October 17, the number of locations will expand further to 85.
By October 1, mail-in ballot requests had already surpassed 18,000, Daily Hive notes. That is more than 70 per cent above the 10,523 mail-in packages requested for the entire 2022 election. Some mail-in ballot deadlines have now passed.
What voters will decide on October 17
In this civic election, Vancouver voters choose a mayor, city councillors, Vancouver Park Board commissioners, and Vancouver School Board trustees. They also vote on two plebiscite questions: a capital plan borrowing proposal to fund new and upgraded community facilities, and a separate non-binding question about public hard-drug use and a proposed secure medical treatment facility.
You can check advance voting locations and hours at /where-to-vote.
Questions this story answers
How many people voted in advance on October 7 in Vancouver?
According to the City's preliminary figures, reported by Daily Hive, 25,142 people cast ballots on October 7, 2026, the second day of advance voting in the 2026 civic election. That figure set a new record for the highest single-day advance voting turnout in Vancouver's history, passing the previous record of 21,824 set just four days earlier on October 3.
Was October 7 the highest single-day advance voting total ever in Vancouver?
According to the City's preliminary figures reported by Daily Hive, yes. October 7 surpassed October 3, which had itself broken the all-time record earlier that same week. The October 3 figure of 21,824 was then surpassed by 25,142 on October 7. Both records belong to the 2026 civic election.
How does 2026 advance voting compare to 2022?
Daily Hive reports that October 7 saw a 139 per cent increase over the 10,502 people who voted on the second advance voting day in the 2022 civic election. After just two days, the 2026 advance voting total of 46,966 had already reached 72 per cent of the entire five-day advance voting total from 2022, which was 65,127.
When are the remaining advance voting days?
Two advance voting days remain before October 17 election day. Saturday, October 10, and Tuesday, October 13. Polls at all advance voting locations are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on both days. Vancouver voters can use any voting location in the city on advance voting days; you do not have to go to a location near your home.
How many advance voting locations are there in 2026?
The City opened 59 advance voting locations for the 2026 civic election. That is up from 22 locations in 2022. Daily Hive notes this expansion as one of the main reasons turnout has risen. On general voting day, October 17, the number of locations will grow to 85.
What is the City's budget for running this election?
The City's budget for operating the 2026 civic election is $9.4 million, according to Daily Hive. That is more than double the budget for the 2022 civic election. The larger budget funded more locations and more technology to process voters, which the City says kept wait times low on October 7 despite the high turnout.
What will voters choose on October 17?
On October 17, Vancouver voters will choose a mayor, city councillors, Vancouver Park Board commissioners, and Vancouver School Board trustees. They will also answer two plebiscite questions: one on a capital plan borrowing proposal, and one non-binding question about public hard-drug use and a proposed secure medical treatment facility.
How many total ballots were cast in the entire 2022 civic election?
Daily Hive reports the total was 171,494 ballots across all of advance voting, general voting day, and mail-in voting in 2022. The 46,966 ballots in the first two advance voting days of 2026 represent 27 per cent of that 2022 total.
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