More people cast ballots during the advance voting opportunities in the two current local races than they did during the 2013 provincial election.
By the time those opportunities ended on Saturday, 5,546 voted in Prince George-Valemount, up 58 per cent, and 5,178 voted in Prince George-Mackenzie, an 18 per cent increase, according to Elections BC.
The outcomes represent a reversal from the two opening days of advance voting which finished with the counts down from the same point in 2013. The latest numbers also reflect a province-wide trend.
Whether that means more votes will be cast on Tuesday is debatable, according to Jason Morris, a lecturer in political science at the University of Northern B.C.
Albeit focussed on American elections, he said research found higher advanced voting has even meant lower voter turnout.
"We want to make it convenient to vote, but all the early opportunities might steal away some of the excitement of an election day, and even reduce the social pressure to vote," Morris said.
"Parties and candidates have to adapt: Instead of going full out at the end of the campaign, do they know how and when to mobilize their supporters when voting is spread out more?"
There are 20 general voting places in each Prince George-Mackenzie and in Prince George-Valemount, and they're open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Ballots can also be cast at the respective district electoral office until 4 p.m. on the day.
The office for Prince George-Mackenzie is at 1511 Lyon St. S., and the office for Prince George-Valemount is 401-1777 Third Ave., two floors up from The Citizen offices.
The closest location to you can be found through elections.bc.ca. And transit is free on election day.
To vote you must be a Canadian citizen, 18 or older on general voting day, and a resident of B.C. for the past six months.
In terms of identification, there are three options:
- Show one of a B.C. driver's licence, a B.C. Identification Card (BCID), a B.C. Services Card (with photo) or another card issued by the Government of B.C. or Canada that shows your name, photo and address or a certificate of Indian status.
- Show any two pieces of ID or documents that both show your name. At least one must have your current address.
Electronic documents (e.g. e-bills) and electronic scans of a paper document are acceptable. Hand-written information on a document is also not acceptable.
- Voters who don't have ID can have their identity vouched for by another person. The voucher must be a registered voter resident in the voter's electoral district, or an immediate relative - parent, spouse, sibling, grandparent or grandchild - or a person with the authority to make personal care decisions for the voter.
Power of attorney does not give an authority to vouch. Instead, it requires an B.C. Supreme Court order, the voucher has been appointed to manage the person under the B.C. Patients Property Act or authority to make personal care decisions without reference to any statute or regulation.
A valid representation agreement under the B.C.Representation Agreement Act also qualifies.
There are 32,354 registered voters in Prince George-Mackenzie, down marginally from 32,877 in 2013 and 33,449 in Prince George-Valemount, down from 34,877.
