Vancouver saw a surge in advance voting during the municipal election as a new record was set on Wednesday. Approximately 25,142 individuals turned out to cast their advance ballots, marking the highest single-day turnout in the city’s history.
This record surpassed the previous high of 21,824, which had been set just three days earlier during the initial day of advance voting on Saturday, October 3. The city reported that both days significantly exceeded advance voting numbers from the last municipal election. The turnout on the first advance voting day in 2026 was 196% higher than in 2022, while Wednesday’s turnout was 139% higher.
In 2022, a total of 65,127 people participated in early voting, representing nearly 40% of the overall voter turnout for the election. Despite the increased turnout on Wednesday, the city noted that it had expanded the number and size of advance polling locations compared to previous years, resulting in shorter wait times.
Several neighboring municipalities, such as Surrey, Burnaby, and New Westminster, also conducted advance voting on Wednesday, although their turnout figures have not been released yet. Vancouver residents still have the opportunity to vote early on Saturday, October 10, and Tuesday, October 13. The general election day is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, with polling stations open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.