---
title: "Vancouver's 2026 election budget reaches $9.4 million as advance voting hits record"
description: "The City of Vancouver spent more than double the 2022 election budget this year, with the expansion of advance voting to 60 locations and two plebiscite questions among the main cost drivers."
canonical_url: "https://voche.me/news/vancouver-election-cost-advance-voting-october-17"
last_updated: "2026-10-17T19:03:17.887Z"
---

Vancouver's 2026 municipal election is on track to cost $9.4 million, the Vancouver Sun reported on October 15, more than double the $4.41 million the city spent in 2022.

A city staff report attributed the increase to several factors: expanding advance voting from 22 locations over five days to 60 locations over four days, higher staffing levels at polling stations, new security personnel, and additional equipment. The two non-binding plebiscite questions the ABC-majority council added to the ballot are expected to account for $400,000 to $550,000 of that total.

The expanded advance voting operation drew record turnout. More than 103,810 people cast advance ballots before the October 17 general voting day, a 60 per cent increase from the 65,127 who voted early in 2022, the Vancouver Sun reported. The four advance voting days produced steadily higher numbers: 21,824 on October 3, 25,142 on October 7, 27,748 on October 10, and 29,096 on October 13.

Mail-in ballot requests also more than doubled. Vancouver received more than 21,000 requests for mail-in ballots this year compared with 10,523 in 2022. Mail-in ballots must arrive at a city drop-off location by 8 p.m. today to be counted.

The higher costs reflect an election running during a period of strong public interest. Vancouver's 2022 eligible voter turnout was 36.3 per cent. Whether the record advance numbers translate into higher overall turnout will become clear after polls close today at 8 p.m.

Polls are open today from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 85 locations across Vancouver, five more than in 2022. Any eligible voter can vote at any location. If you have a mail-in ballot, the City of Vancouver says it must be received by 8 p.m. today. The City recommends using a designated drop-off location rather than Canada Post to make sure it arrives in time.

To find your nearest polling station, visit [/where-to-vote](/where-to-vote).

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