‘Uncharted territory’: how will a major storm affect election day?

An atmospheric river is set to hit much of B.C.’s South Coast starting Friday and continuing into the provincial election day, Saturday, Oct. 19

Political leaders and experts are urging British Columbians to play it safe, budget extra time, and stay alert as a major storm accompanies voting from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Mario Canseco, the President of Research Co., says the province is headed into “uncharted territory,” given that elections historically used to take place in May.

“We’ve seen the effect that it can have on municipal elections. We usually vote [municipally] in November, when it’s rainy and cold. And if there’s something good on television or you want to do something different, you end up completely distracted from it. In municipal elections, turnout tends to be significantly lower than in B.C. elections or federal elections,” said Canseco, adding that he thinks that may have to do with the weather.

Canseco says it’s tough to tell, but weather could affect which voter demographics turn up.

“Over 55 [year-olds] tend to vote more than their younger counterparts. They’re more likely to say, ‘I don’t care if it’s raining and I’m going to go out there and cast my ballot.’ Whereas young voters might be distracted, might not want to do this, might believe that it’s not something that they want to expose themselves,” he explained.

“If it’s raining as hard as it seems, that it’s going to be raining in the Lower Mainland, and that could play a role in the final numbers, for sure.”

Canseco says the closest comparison he can remember is the Federal Election of 2006, when the campaign period began in the depths of winter for most parts of the country and voting took place in January. He says voting in extreme cold didn’t have as strong an effect on votership as some expected in 2006, but adds that a rainstorm is different than cold weather.

BC Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau says her party is encouraging people to get to their district’s electoral office to vote.

“And then we are ramping up our volunteer capacity to be able to get people to the polls tomorrow with this rain event,” Furstenau added.

Meanwhile, the BC NDP say they are encouraging people to be safe and give themselves more time to get to the voting stations Saturday. 

During a media event Thursday, Leader David Eby said he knows British Columbians are tough, and they’re not going to let an atmospheric river stop them from voting. 

The party says many of their local campaigns will also be offering rides for people to get to the voting stations. 

1130 NewsRadio has reached out to the Conservative Party of B.C. for comment.

Elections BC Communications Director Andrew Watson says it’s a good thing the province has embraced a “vote anywhere model.”

If it’s not safe or comfortable to reaching the polling station within your home district, you can cast your ballot at any voting place in the province.

You only need to bring a valid piece of identification, and proof of your residential address, including (but not limited to):

• Bank/credit card or statement
• Confirmation of Residence
• Hospital bracelet/document
• Insurance statement
• Membership card
• Mortgage statement
• Personal cheque (printed by bank)
• Prescription medication containers
• Provincial Where to Vote card
• Public transportation pass
• Residential lease
• Statutory declaration
• Utility bill

Other accepted documents and verification methods are listed on the Elections BC website.

—With files from David Nadalini and Raynaldo Suarez