Voters head to the polls for B.C. provincial election

CBC News

· Posted: Oct 24, 2026 8:00 AM EDT | Last Updated: 10 minutes ago

British Columbians are heading to the polls on Saturday to elect their next provincial government.

The snap provincial election was called last month, with more than 350 candidates running across 93 ridings.

Polling stations are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. PT on Saturday.

People were seen braving the rain at a polling station in Coquitlam Saturday morning.

Among them, Michelle Stone. She says despite having two elections within a week of each other, she says she was able to do research and make an informed decision.

"It's pretty confusing, it's so many people to vote for," she said. "It was tough to have both around the same time."

As a parent of two children, she says affordability and cost of living for families is top of mind.

• What you need to know about B.C. party platforms ahead of Saturday's election

For Barb Dumont, who also cast her ballot on Saturday morning, health and Indigenous rights were important election issues.

"We want health for seniors to be a big priority," she said.

"I also think Indigenous rights are very important.... It's been neglected for far too long."

• Advance voting for B.C. provincial election down 11% compared to 2024: officials

To be eligible to cast a ballot, voters must be at least 18 years old on Oct. 24 and a Canadian citizen who has resided in B.C. since April 23, 2026.

Many voters will have received a voter information card with details on where they can cast their ballot.

Elections B.C. has provided an application for voters to find their nearest voting place.

The provincial elections office has a list of acceptable ID documents that voters would need to prove their identity and residential address when voting. Voters who don't have the required identification can have their identity vouched for by a person who meets specific eligibility requirements.

Anyone who hasn't registered can still do so in person on election day.

Volunteers from Apathy is Boring hit the streets of downtown Vancouver Saturday, encouraging people to vote. (Ivan De Jacquelin/CBC)

Volunteers from non-partisan nonprofit Apathy is Boring hit the streets of downtown Vancouver Saturday, with hopes to engage people and encourage them to make it to the polls.

Director Erika De Torres says they are particularly trying to reach young voters.

"What we've found time and time again, across all different levels of government, is that young people don’t necessarily show up as much as their different intergenerational counterparts," she said.

And with two elections in one week, De Torres says the group is there to help provide information on the different levels of government and what they do.

"Please go out and vote, you have until 8 p.m. to go show elected politicians, candidates that you care," she said.

• Undecided voters could determine results of close B.C. election, experts say

CBC News will bring you up-to-the-minute coverage after polls close, with a live election special starting at 7:30 p.m. PT.

Hosts Gloria Macarenko and Jason D’Souza will host B.C. Votes 2026, a special evening of election programming featuring guest interviews and in-depth analysis and broadcast coverage available in ASL across all CBC B.C. platforms.

Where to watch and listen:

Online: Live streaming on CBC News BC, CBC Gem, cbc.ca/bc as well as on YouTube.

TV: Live on CBC Television (check your TV service provider for channel).

Listen: Live on CBC Radio One or listen online.