Full Breakdown
Record Early Voting Turnout in Vancouver’s Municipal Election
By Drooid · · How we work
Record-setting Advance Balloting
Vancouver’s municipal election saw an unprecedented surge in early voting. The city reports that an estimated 25,142 people cast advance ballots on the second day of voting, surpassing the previous single-day record of 21,824 set just three days earlier on the first day of advance voting. Both days exceeded the advance-voting totals of the city’s last municipal election.
Context and Comparison
Advance voting in Vancouver has been expanding, with more and larger polling sites contributing to smoother operations and shorter wait times. In the prior municipal election, a total of 65,127 voters turned in early ballots, representing roughly 40 percent of overall turnout. Compared with the 2022 election, the first day of advance voting this cycle was about 196 percent higher, while the second day’s turnout was roughly 139 percent higher.
Numbers and Percentages
- Second-day advance voters: ? 25,142 ( new record)
- First-day advance voters: ? 21,824 (previous record)
- Increase vs. 2022 first day: ? 196 percent
- Increase vs. 2022 second day: ? 139 percent
- 2022 total early voters: ? 65,127 (~40 percent of total election turnout)
The city attributes the higher participation to the expanded number of polling locations, which helped keep lines short despite the larger crowds.
Implications and Next Steps
The surge in early voting suggests heightened voter engagement in Vancouver’s municipal affairs. The city’s expanded polling infrastructure appears effective in managing increased demand, a model other regional municipalities—such as Surrey, Burnaby, and New Westminster—may consider as they await their own turnout figures. Early voting will continue later in the week, with additional opportunities before the official election day, allowing residents further flexibility to cast their ballots.