Elections BC says it has received an ‘unprecedented’ amount of vote by mail requests this year.
As of yesterday (Tuesday), 680,000 voters have requested vote-by-mail packages compared to just 6,517 in 2017.
In total, 670,033 vote-by-mail packages have been issued to voters so far this election campaign.
“Some voters who have been issued a vote-by-mail package may not have received it yet,” said Andrew Watson with Elections BC.
“Elections BC is working as fast as possible to process package requests, produce vote by mail packages and send them to Canada Post for delivery.”
However, Watson says it’s possible for voters, especially those who request a package this week, will receive their ballots after the recommended deadline to return it by mail on October 17.
“Voters in this situation should plan on returning their package in-person to a designated drop-off location, or vote in person during advance voting or on Election Day,” he said.
After October 17, Elections BC recommends voters return their completed package in person at any designated drop-off location.
Designated drop-off locations include electoral offices, voting places, and some Service BC locations.
An estimated 138,500 vote-by-mail packages have been returned to Elections BC, representing approximately 21% of packages issued to date.
Elections BC must receive completed vote-by-mail packages by 8 p.m. Pacific time on Saturday, October 24.
Advanced polls begin October 15.
BC Transit has also announced all bus fare will be waived for election day.
How to return your vote by mail package:
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