UPDATE: Vancouver voters dealt a blow to Mayor Ken Sim and his ABC party Saturday, throwing their support behind two left-leaning candidates in a byelection that drew higher-than-normal turnout. Read more about the results here. Read More
Polls are open for the Vancouver byelection from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 25 locations across the city.
Polls are open for the Vancouver byelection from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 25 locations across the city.
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Vancouver’s elections office is attributing long lineups — some reported to be more than three hours long — at byelection voting stations to a record high voter turnout.
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Following complaints on social media about the lengthy queues, the elections office issued a statement Saturday asking for patience while participating in the byelection.
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The elections office said it modelled this byelection off data from the past two byelections, and so far, this one has had “significantly higher voter turnout comparatively.”
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A polling station attendant at West Point Grey Community Centre apologized for the hour-long lineup Saturday afternoon and thanked people for their patience as they entered the gymnasium, which had only four people to check IDs. He said they did not expect turnout to be so large.
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After a record-high voter turnout demonstrated on advance voting days, the office said it added 45 staff members to help with the expected turnout.
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However, it was apparently not enough at some locations. The lineup was so long at Mount Pleasant voters said that staff suggested they try another voting location.
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The office sent additional tabulators to the busiest locations throughout the day to increase processing speeds, and has surplus ballots on hand, the statement said.
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The lineup outside Kitsilano Community Centre stretched for half the block, past a playground and rugby field.
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At the back of the line, Jay Lannon braced for what she was told was more than a two-hour wait. She just cancelled a yoga class because she wanted to cast a ballot.
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“It’s a very important election,” she said. “I’m not very impressed with Ken Sim’s leadership. I believe in a progressive society and don’t feel our current municipal government delivers on that.”
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The lineups deterred some people who took a look at the queue snaking around the block and left.
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“That’s insane,” said one woman.
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Kent Linden said he’ll come back again later in the afternoon to vote.