Vancouver advance voting opens Saturday as mail ballot requests pass 18,000
The City of Vancouver says requests for mail ballot packages have reached more than 18,000, over 70 per cent above the 10,523 packages sent out for the entire 2022 election. Advance voting starts October 3.
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Advance voting in Vancouver's 2026 civic election begins Saturday, October 3, and the City of Vancouver reports that requests for mail ballot packages have already passed 18,000, more than 70 per cent above the 10,523 packages sent out for the entire 2022 election.
Daily Hive Vancouver reported the City's figures on October 3, 2026. The jump in mail ballot demand comes before the first of four advance voting days, suggesting wider participation in the run-up to election day on October 17.
Advance voting dates and locations
Voters can cast their ballots at any of 59 advance voting locations across Vancouver. All four days run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.:
- Saturday, October 3
- Wednesday, October 7
- Saturday, October 10
- Tuesday, October 13
On election day, October 17, 85 voting places are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters do not need to go to a specific location based on their neighbourhood; any of the 59 advance voting places will accept their ballot.
What is on the ballot
Voters will choose a mayor, city councillors, park board commissioners and school board trustees. The ballot also includes two plebiscites on capital plan borrowing and public safety. There are 129 candidates across the four races and 11 parties on the ballot.
Mail ballots
The deadline to request a mail ballot package has not passed, but the City described it as approaching. Voters who have not yet requested one should check the City of Vancouver's election website for the current cutoff date. Voters who received a mail package and prefer to vote in person should also contact the City for guidance.
What voters can do
The where-to-vote page has advance voting and election day locations with addresses. Advance voting is open today, Saturday, October 3, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Questions this story answers
When does advance voting start in Vancouver's 2026 election?
Advance voting begins Saturday, October 3, 2026, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The four advance voting days are October 3, October 7, October 10 and October 13, all from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters can go to any of 59 advance voting locations across Vancouver during any of those four days. Election day is October 17, 2026, when 85 voting places are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
How many advance voting locations are there in Vancouver?
The City of Vancouver has 59 advance voting locations available on October 3, 7, 10 and 13, 2026. Voters can use any of the 59 locations on any of those four days, regardless of which neighbourhood they live in. On election day, October 17, there are 85 voting places open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The where-to-vote page on this site lists all locations.
How many mail ballot requests has Vancouver received for the 2026 election?
The City of Vancouver reported that requests for mail ballot packages had surpassed 18,000 before advance voting opened on October 3, 2026. For comparison, the City sent out 10,523 packages for the entire 2022 civic election. Daily Hive Vancouver reported that figure on October 3, 2026, citing the City of Vancouver directly. Mail ballot deadlines are approaching, and voters who have not yet requested a package should check the City's election website for the current cutoff.
What will Vancouver voters decide in the October 17, 2026 election?
Vancouver voters will choose a mayor, city councillors, park board commissioners and school board trustees on October 17, 2026. The ballot also includes two plebiscites: one on capital plan borrowing and one on public safety. Advance voting is available on October 3, 7, 10 and 13 at 59 locations across the city, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day.
Can I vote at any advance voting location in Vancouver?
Yes. Advance voting in Vancouver is at-large, meaning you can use any of the 59 advance voting locations regardless of where you live in the city. The four advance voting days in 2026 are October 3, 7, 10 and 13, all from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The where-to-vote page on this site has the full list of locations and their addresses.
What if I requested a mail ballot but want to vote in person?
Voters who requested a mail ballot package but prefer to vote in person should check the City of Vancouver's election website for current guidance on that process. The City can advise on what to bring and whether a mail package can be surrendered at a voting place. Daily Hive Vancouver's October 3, 2026 report did not cover this specific scenario.
Why are mail ballot requests so much higher in 2026 than in 2022?
The City of Vancouver has not publicly explained why mail ballot requests are higher in 2026. The figures reported by Daily Hive Vancouver on October 3, 2026 show that requests had already exceeded 18,000 before advance voting opened, compared to 10,523 packages for all of the 2022 election. The 2026 election features more candidates and more public attention than recent cycles, but the City has not attributed the increase to any specific cause in the reporting available.
Where can I find all advance voting and election day locations in Vancouver?
The where-to-vote page on this site lists advance voting locations and election day voting places for the October 17, 2026 Vancouver municipal election. Advance voting runs on October 3, 7, 10 and 13, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at 59 locations across the city. On election day, 85 voting places are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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