Advance voting begins for the British Columbia provincial election on Oct. 19

British Columbians eager to cast their ballots early can begin voting today at hundreds of advance polling locations across the province, as the 2025 provincial election heads into its final phase.

Elections BC says 343 advance voting places will operate during two periods — from today through October 13, and again on October 15 and 16. However, not all sites will be open every day. Voting hours are set from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and eligible voters can find their nearest location using the “where-to-vote” card mailed to them or through the Elections BC website.

The election is shaping up to be a close contest between Premier David Eby’s NDP and John Rustad’s B.C. Conservatives, according to recent polls. Advance voting has played a growing role in past elections — 35 per cent of votes were cast early in the 2020 pandemic election, compared to 30 per cent in 2017 and 20 per cent in 2013.

This year’s paper ballots will be processed using electronic tabulators, with almost all votes expected to be officially counted on election day, October 19. Elections BC says the new system is designed to speed up results reporting while maintaining accuracy and transparency.