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Advance voting opens in Victoria with ID required at the ballot box

Advance voting in Victoria's general local election opens today, Wednesday 7 October, at the Victoria Conference Centre's Upper Pavilion, second floor, 720 Douglas St. ¹ Voting runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ¹

Other advance voting days

The City has five advance voting opportunities in all, each open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. except the University of Victoria site, which is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ¹ Crystal Garden, 713 Douglas St., hosts voting on Tuesday 13 October ¹, Wednesday 14 October ¹ and Thursday 15 October. ¹ On 14 October, voters can also use the University of Victoria Student Union Building, Michèle Pujol Room, 3800 Finnerty Rd. ¹

General voting day is Saturday 17 October, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. ¹ An accessible voting machine will be available at the Victoria Conference Centre and Crystal Garden. ¹

What you need to vote

Voters must be 18 or older, a Canadian citizen, a B.C. resident for at least six months and a resident of Victoria. ² Property owners who live elsewhere in B.C. may be eligible as non-resident property electors. ²

Registered voters must present one piece of ID to prove identity. ² Those registering must present two pieces of ID, one of which must include their signature. ² People not on the voters list can register when they vote in advance or on general voting day. ¹

Accepted ID includes a B.C. driver's licence, a photo B.C. Services Card and a student card issued by a post-secondary institution. ¹ A credit or debit card or statement, or a utility bill for electricity, natural gas, water, telephone or cable, also counts. ¹ The City's elections page has the full list.

Mail ballots

Voters who prefer a mail ballot can request one online until 4 p.m. on Friday 9 October. ¹ Help is available at 250.361.0571. ¹ A mail ballot must be received by the City by 8 p.m. on Saturday 17 October to be counted. ¹

The ballot also includes a non-binding question on whether Victoria and Saanich should become one municipality. ³