Starting today, voters across Greater Victoria will begin to cast their ballots ahead of the municipal elections on October 20th.
Whether you’re a first time voter or a seasoned part of this democratic process, here’s everything you’ll need to know before hitting the polls.
Who can vote
Any Canadian citizen aged 18 or older who has been a resident of B.C. for at least the last six months and a resident of their municipality for a minimum of 30 days is eligible to vote in the upcoming election.
Before heading to the polls, it’s important to check if you’re registered, which can be done here by entering your name and a few quick details.
Anyone eligible to vote can register in person at City Hall or their polling station (with ID and proof of residence) prior to casting their ballot.
What you’re voting on
Although the specific number of positions varies between municipalities, most voters can expect to see candidates for city council, school board trustees, and mayor on their ballots.
In some municipalities like Victoria, you may also be asked to decide on community option questions that ask the public’s opinion on bigger projects the city is considering.
For full information on candidates and options specific to your municipality, make sure to check out the official elections website for where you live.
What you’ll need to vote
If you’re a registered voter, it’s important to remember to bring identification to the polling station. Anyone who does not have one of the preferred ID types listed below will be expected to present two types of ID.
Preferred ID: BC Driver’s Licence, BC Identification Card, Photo BC Services Card, or Certificate of Indian Status issued by the Canadian Government.
Other types of ID (at least one should have a signature): Student card issued by a post-secondary institution, Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence issued by ICBC, Non-photo BC Services Card, BC Care Card, Social Insurance card, Canadian citizenship card, City of Victoria Property tax notice, Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits, BC Government cheque, income tax assessment notice, Canadian Forces identification, Old Age Security identification card, Canadian passport, birth certificate, bank statement, utility bill, Greater Victoria Public Library library card, and Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security Request for Continued Assistance Form SDES8.
When to vote
Polls will be open from 8 am to 8 pm on October 20th across Greater Victoria for the general election day.
Municipalities are also providing several opportunities for early voting—check below for a complete list of advance voting options in each district.
- Victoria: October 10th at Victoria City Hall and Camosun College, October 12th at Our Place, October 15th at Victoria City Hall, and October 17th at the University of Victoria Student Union Building.
- Saanich: October 10th at the Saanich Municipal Hall and Camosun College, October 15th at the Saanich Municipal Hall and Saanich Commonwealth Place, and on October 17th at Gordon Head Recreation Centre and the University of Victoria’s Student Union Building.
- View Royal: October 10th and 16th at the View Royal Town Hall Council Chambers.
- Esquimalt: October 10th and 17th at the Esquimalt Municipal Hall Council Chambers.
- Oak Bay: October 10th and 17th at Oak Bay Municipal Hall.
- Sidney: October 10th and 17th at Sidney Town Hall.
- Langford: October 10th and 17th at Langford City Hall.
- North Saanich: October 10th and 17th at the North Saanich Municipal Hall.
- Central Saanich: October 10th, 13th, and 17th at the Central Saanich Municipal Hall.
- Colwood: October 10th and 17th at the Colwood Municipal Hall.
- Sooke: October 10th and 17th at the Sooke Community Hall.
- Metchosin: October 10th and 17th at Metchosin Municipal Hall.
Where to vote
When the big day comes, it’s important to know where to go for you to make your perspective matter. Here’s where polling stations will be set up around the community from 8 am to 8 pm.
- Victoria: Burnside Gorge Community Centre, Central Baptist Church, Cook Street Village Activity Centre, Victoria High School, James Bay Community School, James Bay New Horizons Centre, Margaret Jenkins Elementary, Oaklands Elementary, Quadra Elementary, St. Barnabas Church, Sir James Douglas Elementary, and Victoria West Elementary.
- Saanich: Campus View Elementary School, Cedar Hill Middle School, Cedar Hill Recreation Centre, Cloverdale Traditional School, Cordova Bay Elementary School, Doncaster Elementary School, Frank Hobbs Elementary School, Glanford Middle School, Gordon Head Recreation Centre, G.R. Pearkes Recreation Centre, Hillcrest Elementary School, Lochside Elementary School, Prospect Lake Elementary School, Reynolds Secondary School, Saanich Commonwealth Place, Spectrum Community School, and Victoria Alliance Church.
- View Royal: View Royal Elementary School and Eagle View Elementary School.
- Esquimalt: Esquimalt Recreation Centre.
- Oak Bay: Emmanuel Baptist Church, Monterey Recreation Centre, and Monterey Middle School.
- Sidney: Mary Winspear Centre.
- Langford: Millstream Elementary School and Ruth King Elementary School.
- North Saanich: North Saanich Municipal Hall.
- Central Saanich: Individual Learning Centre (formerly Saanichton Elementary School) and the Central Saanich Cultural Centre.
- Colwood: Colwood Municipal Hall.
- Sooke: Edward Milne Secondary School.
- Metchosin: Metchosin Community Hall.
