Voters had their final opportunity to cast their ballots early in the 2022 general local elections this week before general voting day on Saturday.
Notably, Cranbrook had a higher voter turnout in the early polls compared to the previous election, while Kimberley was lower on the second day.
You can cast your ballot on general voting day between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday.
Elections BC officials said you can complete voter registration or update your information at a polling location.
In order to register, you will need to provide your name, birth date, address and one of the following:
- B.C. driver’s license number
- B.C. Identification Card number
- the last six digits of your Social Insurance Number
- the last six digits of your Personal Health Number
B.C. government officials have outlined some criteria for you to be eligible to vote, as well:
- You must be 18 years or older when you go to vote at advance polling or general voting day.
- You must be a Canadian citizen.
- You must have been a B.C. resident for at least six months prior to registering.
- You must be a resident of the municipality or electoral area when you register.
- You cannot vote if you have otherwise been disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment or be otherwise disqualified by law.
You can visit the link below to find where your local polling station is, as well as more details about who is running.
More:Â 2022 General Local Election: definitive voting guide for East Kootenay communities
Advance polling turnout
Canal Flats:
41 voters showed up to cast their ballot on Thursday.
Last week, 29 people cast their ballots early, adding up to 70 early ballots cast in total.
The community has an estimated 408 registered voters.
That means 17.2 per cent of the eligible voter population cast their ballots early.
Those who have not voted yet can go to the Columbia Discovery Centre (8866 Grainger Road) on Saturday.
Cranbrook:
Cranbrook had a significant increase in advance voter turnout on both days.
According to city officials, 1,115 residents cast their ballots on Wednesday, compared to 882 in 2018.
Last week, 696 residents went out to vote for a combined total of 1,811 early votes, compared to 1,365 advance poll votes in 2018.
Cranbrook has an estimated 16,169 eligible voter population, meaning 11.2 per cent of the voting population cast their ballots early.
Voting stations at Laurie Middle School (1808 2nd Street South) will be open on Saturday.
Elkford:
Elkford’s voter turnout was down slightly for the second day of advance polling.
Election officials said 119 people cast their ballot on Tuesday, compared to 130 in 2018.
On the first day of early voting, 167 people cast their ballots for a combined total of 286.
Elkford has 1,993 eligible voters, meaning 14.3 per cent of the total population voted early.
Elkford residents who have yet to vote can do so at the Elkford Community Conference Centre (750 Fording Drive) on Saturday.
Fernie:
In Fernie, 712 people cast their ballots early on day two of advance polling.
Last week, 413 residents showed up to vote for a combined total of 1,125 early votes.
This is out of a total estimated voter population of 4,552, meaning 24.7 per cent of the eligable population voted early.
The Fernie Senior Citizens Drop-In Centre (562 – 3rd Avenue) will be open on Saturday for general voting day.
Kimberley:
Election officials said day two of Kimberley’s advance polling saw 524 residents cast their ballots.
Last week, 444 people voted to decide who would be on the next city council for a combined total of
Kimberley has 6,182 residents who are qualified to vote, meaning 15.7 per cent of Kimberley residents cast their votes early.
Kimberley residents who have yet to vote can head to McKim Middle School (689 Rotary Drive) on Saturday.
Radium Hot Springs:
In Radium Hot Springs, 194 residents showed up to cast their ballots early last Wednesday.
The community did not have a second early polling date.
The community does not have numbers from 2018 to compare, as officials said all local elections have been won by acclimation since 2011.
Radium has about 1,119 people who are eligible to vote, meaning 17.3 per cent of the voting population participated early.
The municipal office (4836 Radium Blvd.) will be open as a polling station on Saturday.
Sparwood:
200 people showed up to cast their vote in Sparwood’s early polling on Tuesday
Last week, 299 people voted early for a total of 499 advance ballots.
This is out of 3,015 eligible voters, meaning 16.6 per cent of the voting population voted early.
Sparwood voters can head to the Henry Volkmann Memorial Complex (367 Pine Ave.) on Saturday if they have yet to vote.