NANAIMO — While timing was a major factor, it appears poll workers were busy during advance voting opportunities for this year’s municipal election.
A pair of opportunities on back-to-back Wednesdays, Oct. 7 and Oct. 14, saw thousands cast their ballot for new Mayor, Council, Regional District and School Board candidates.
In the City of Nanaimo, around 7,000 votes have already been submitted in person, well up from the approximately 4,430 who voted early in 2022.
Long lines were reported at multiple points on Oct. 14, when almost 4,600 votes were cast, with voters queued outside the Beban Park Social Centre, down the breezeway, and toward the pool entrance.
Many in line, however, said they made progress relatively quickly.
The City of Parksville saw 1,366 through the doors of the Jensen Centre over two days of advance voting, down from the 1,587 who took the same opportunity four years ago.
Qualicum Beach voters continued their strong history of turning out for elections.
Data from the Town confirms 2,742 voters cast their ballots during the advance period, up from approximately 2,250 in 2022.
Turnout was effectively split down the middle for both days, with 1,376 voting on Oct. 7, and 1,366 a week later.
Qualicum Beach led voter turnout four years ago among mid-Island municipalities with around 53 per cent of eligible voters participating.
General election day is Saturday, Oct. 17.
Find your candidate match. Take our new Know Your Vote survey and find which candidates agree most with you on key issues in the City of Nanaimo.
Follow us on: Twitter (X) | Bluesky | Facebook