Vancouverites enjoy a sunny second day of advance byelection voting

A steady stream of people made their way to Vancouver City Hall Tuesday on the final day of advanced voting for the city’s municipal byelection.

Although byelection turnouts are typically low, the City of Vancouver says the first day of advance voting, Wednesday, saw a 44 per cent increase over the most recent byelection in 2017.

Tuesday’s lines were complemented by warm and sunny weather — lucky for those who were facing a wait times of just under an hour around 6 p.m.

The byelection comes as long-time Coun. Adriane Carr announced her resignation from council in January, and Coun. Christine Boyle resigned after being elected to B.C.’s legislature in October of 2024.

Many voters expressed their desire for more balance in the council to 1130 NewsRadio.

“I think since we lost two of the more progressive candidates from One City and the Green Party, one of the reasons that I was really compelled to vote was it would be nice to see some more diverse representation on city council. Since we do have quite a majority of ABC [Party members] right now,” said one.

“So I really want to make sure that the message comes across clear that as Vancouverites, we care about housing for everybody in the city, not just a certain class,” said another.

“I kind of disagree with everything they’re doing and their approach to managing the city. So I hope to see other people get in,” said a third.

Ian Bushfield, co-host of the Cambie Report podcast, says advance turnout is great, but city byelections remain “a real black box.”

“So it’s hard to say whether that’s people who are really dissatisfied with the state of city hall and are turning up to vote for any one of the opposition parties that are on the ballot. There’s a lot of people running against Ken Sim and team ABC, or if their strategy of really getting the message to their past supporters and getting them out is effective and working,” said Bushfield.

The early voting polls close at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Election Day is set for April 5, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., at City Hall or any of 24 Vancouver community centres.

—With files from Raynaldo Suarez and Joe Sadowski