---
title: "21,824 people voted on Vancouver advance voting's first day, a 196% jump over 2022"
description: "The City of Vancouver's preliminary statistics show 21,824 people voted on October 3, the first advance voting day, a 196 per cent increase over the first advance voting day in the 2022 civic election."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/news/advance-voting-first-day-record-october-4"
last_updated: "2026-10-10T04:01:13.811Z"
---

Vancouver's first advance voting day drew 21,824 people on Saturday, October 3, according to preliminary statistics released by the City of Vancouver, Daily Hive Vancouver reported on October 5. The City says that figure is a 196 per cent increase over the first advance voting day in the 2022 civic election.

The article says the increase is likely connected to a significant expansion of voting locations. The number of advance voting sites grew from 22 in the 2022 election to 59 in 2026, nearly triple. Voters can cast their ballot at any location, regardless of their home address.

To support the expanded operations, the City's elections budget grew from $4.4 million for the 2022 civic election to $9.4 million for 2026, according to the article. The City also wanted to avoid the long queues that formed at the April 2025 by-election.

## Record mail ballot demand

The high first-day count follows record demand for mail ballots. As of October 1, the City had received more than 18,000 requests for ballot packages, according to Daily Hive Vancouver. That exceeds the total of 10,523 packages sent out during the entire 2022 civic election by more than 70 per cent.

Mail ballot request deadlines were described as fast approaching at the time of publication. Voters who have already received a mail ballot package should return it by the deadlines listed on their package. Information on mail voting is available at /where-to-vote.

## Three advance voting days remain

Three advance voting days remain before the election:

- Wednesday, October 7
- Saturday, October 10
- Tuesday, October 13

All 59 locations are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on each advance voting day. Election day is Saturday, October 17, when 85 voting locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

On October 17, voters will choose a mayor, city councillors, Vancouver Park Board commissioners, and Vancouver School Board trustees. They will also vote on a capital plan that includes borrowing questions for community centres and infrastructure, and a separate non-binding plebiscite on public safety. You can see the full list of candidates and where to vote at /where-to-vote.

## Sitemap

See the full [sitemap](/sitemap.md) for all pages.