Record advance polling turnout in Kamloops

KAMLOOPS — Election day in Kamloops is still two days away, and already the city is breaking records for voter turnout. Ahead of general election day on Saturday, October 15, Kamloops set up three advance polling days, the third of which was held Wednesday (October 12). To make voting easier this election, a second polling station was created at McArthur Island.

After the first two advance polling opportunities nearly 2,500 votes had been cast in the city, representing 1/8th of the total votes collected in 2018. But, according to Deputy Chief Election Officer Natalie Garbay, that number more than doubled on Wednesday.

“We had a fantastic turnout this year. If we compare it to the last election in 2018, we only had one polling location for the three days of advance voting at Heritage House and voter turnout for those three days was just over 3,000 people. This year, we have had two locations, McArthur Island and Heritage House for the same three advance days and the total turnout for those three days at those two locations is just over 5,000 voters,” said Garbay.

Garbay also confirmed that more than 1,000 mail-in ballots have been requested by residents and it is yet to be seen how many will be returned by the end of election night.

On Saturday, voters still looking to cast a ballot will have access to 16 voting locations across the city.

“It’s same-day voter registration. People need to bring two pieces of ID; one that shows their signature but two pieces that will show their residency and their identity. People who may have a combined drivers license and care card, that counts as one piece of ID so they will have to bring something else to supplement it,” added Garbay.