B.C. vote-by-mail ballot format changes for requests on or after Oct. 2
Elections BC is administering B.C.’s 2026 provincial election, with Final Voting Day set for Oct. 24.
Photo credit: Elections BC
VICTORIA — British Columbians planning to vote by mail in the Oct. 24 provincial election will receive a different ballot format depending on when they request their voting package, with Elections BC switching to ballots that list candidates in the voter’s provincial electoral district beginning Oct. 2.
Vote-by-mail packages requested before Oct. 2 contain a write-in ballot with a blank space where voters can enter the name of a candidate or political party. Packages requested on or after Oct. 2 contain a ballot listing the candidates for the voter’s electoral district, according to Elections BC.
The change comes just before candidate nominations close at 1 p.m. Pacific on Oct. 3. Voters who receive the earlier write-in ballot can vote by entering either a candidate or a political party. Elections BC will publish the complete official candidate list after nominations close.
Eligible voters can request a vote-by-mail package online through Elections BC, by calling 1-800-661-8683 or by visiting a district electoral office. To vote in the provincial election, a person must be a Canadian citizen, be at least 18 years old on Oct. 24 and have been a B.C. resident since April 23.
The online request system asks voters for their name, date of birth and residential address, along with identification information such as a B.C. driver’s licence or BCID number, the last six digits of a Personal Health Number or the last six digits of a Social Insurance Number. Vote-by-mail applicants must also provide a phone number or email address where Elections BC can reach them.
Elections BC says processing and delivery of a vote-by-mail package can take two to five business days, depending on volume and destination, and recommends requesting one as soon as possible. Oct. 18 is the final day to request a package online or by phone. Completed packages must be received by Elections BC by 8 p.m. Pacific on Oct. 24; voters can return them by mail or drop them at a district electoral office or voting place.
Some voters will also be required to provide identification when completing their package. Elections BC says the certification envelope will be marked “ID REQUIRED” when identification is needed. Those voters can upload acceptable identification through Elections BC’s secure system before returning the completed package, or include photocopies of acceptable identification with the returned package.
Advance voting in the provincial election runs from Oct. 16 through Oct. 21, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time. Final Voting Day is Saturday, Oct. 24, with voting from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific time.
The provincial schedule overlaps with B.C.’s 2026 general local elections, which have General Voting Day on Saturday, Oct. 17. The two elections are separate: Elections BC administers the provincial election, while municipalities and other local jurisdictions administer voting in their local elections. Oct. 17 therefore falls within the provincial advance-voting period as well as serving as General Voting Day for local races.
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