The BC election reaches Final Voting Day on Saturday, October 24, with voters across the province choosing representatives for all 93 electoral districts in the Legislative Assembly.
Voting places will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific time.
Elections BC said preliminary results will begin appearing after polls close at 8 p.m.
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Bc Election: What B.C. voters are deciding
Each voter will select one candidate to represent their local electoral district, also known as a riding.
The candidate who receives the most votes in a riding is elected as its Member of the Legislative Assembly, or MLA.
The party that wins the largest number of seats will have the opportunity to form government, subject to the composition of the Legislature.
The official candidate list is published by Elections BC and includes candidates from registered political parties, as well as independent and unaffiliated candidates.
When and where to vote
Final Voting Day is Saturday, October 24, and voting places are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific time.
Voters have an assigned voting place listed on their Where to Vote card, but Elections BC says they can vote at any voting place if another location is more convenient.
Voters can use the Elections BC Where to Vote service to confirm the nearest location, check accessibility information and review the candidates on their ballot.
Advance voting ended on October 21.
Requests for vote-by-mail packages are also closed, but voters who already received a package can return it at a voting place or district electoral office before the deadline.
Who can vote in the B.C. election
To vote in the provincial election, a person must be a Canadian citizen, be at least 18 years old on October 24, 2026, and have been a resident of British Columbia since April 23, 2026.
Voters cast a ballot in the electoral district where they live.
Elections BC says voters may vote at any voting place in the province, although assigned locations are provided to help people plan ahead.
What identification voters need
All voters must prove their identity and residential address before receiving a ballot.
- One accepted document, such as a B.C. driver’s licence, B.C. Identification Card, B.C. Services Card or Certificate of Indian Status.
- Two pieces of identification that show the voter’s name, with at least one showing their current address.
- A Where to Vote card may be used as one of the two pieces of identification.
Voters without the required documents may be able to have another eligible voter vouch for their identity and address under Elections BC rules.
When election results will be available
Preliminary results are expected to be reported after voting closes at 8 p.m. Pacific time on October 24.
Those first results are not necessarily the final outcome in every riding.
Mail ballots, absentee ballots and other ballots requiring additional processing can affect the timing of the final count.
Elections BC has planned the final count for November 6 to 10, 2026.
The official return of the writs is scheduled for November 18.
Why the timing matters
The provincial vote follows a campaign that began after the election was called on September 22, 2026.
The election is being held shortly after B.C.’s general local elections, which took place on October 17.
The two votes are separate: municipal elections choose mayors, councillors and other local representatives, while the provincial election chooses MLAs for the Legislative Assembly.
Voters should therefore confirm that they are looking at the provincial election information when checking candidates, voting locations and ballot details.
What happens after the vote
Once preliminary counts are reported, Elections BC will continue processing ballots and conduct the scheduled final count.
The result in each riding determines which candidates become MLAs.
The combined seat totals will determine whether the governing party retains its position or whether another party is able to form government.
For voters who have not yet made a plan, the most important steps are to confirm eligibility, check the voting location, bring acceptable identification and arrive before polls close at 8 p.m. Pacific time.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the 2026 B.C. provincial election?
Final Voting Day is Saturday, October 24, 2026.
What time do B.C. polls open and close?
Voting places are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific time on October 24.
Who is eligible to vote in the B.C. election?
Eligible voters must be Canadian citizens, at least 18 years old on October 24, 2026, and residents of B.C. since April 23, 2026.
What identification is required to vote in B.C.?
Voters need one accepted identity-and-address document or two pieces of identification showing their name, with at least one showing their current address.
When will B.C. election results be released?
Preliminary results are expected after polls close at 8 p.m. Pacific time, while Elections BC has planned the final count for November 6 to 10, 2026.
Fact-Checked: Key voting dates, hours, eligibility rules, identification requirements, candidate information and the results timeline were checked against Elections BC information.
Disclaimer: Election-night results are preliminary until Elections BC completes the official count.