Photo: Contributed

The first day of advance polls for the October 15 civic election saw better voter turnout than four years ago, but slightly lower numbers compared to 2014.

According to the City of Kelowna, 1,471 people cast ballots at Parkinson Recreation Centre on Wednesday. In 2018, the turnout was only 966, while In 2014, 1,536 votes were cast. The numbers could indicate a better overall turnout compared to last time around when just 32.79 per cent of eligible voters participated.

If you won’t be able to vote on October 15 there are four more advance poll opportunities on October 8, 12, 13 and 14.

Saturday, Oct. 8

• Parkinson Recreation Centre, 1800 Parkinson Way
• Dr. Knox Middle School, 121 Drysdale Boulevard
• Hollywood Road Education Centre, 1040 Hollywood Road South

Wednesday, Oct. 12

• Parkinson Recreation Centre, 1800 Parkinson Way
• Black Box Theatre, 1375 Water Street
• Okanagan College, Centre for Learning Atrium, 1000 KLO Road
• UBC Okanagan Nechako Residence, 1255 International Mews

Thursday, Oct. 13

• Parkinson Recreation Centre, 1800 Parkinson Way

Friday, Oct. 14

• Parkinson Recreation Centre, 1800 Parkinson Way

With the exception of UBC Okanagan Nechako Residence and Okanagan College Centre for Learning Atrium, which will be open until 6 p.m., advance voting hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

All locations are accessible to all eligible voters. A voter assist terminal, which provides an electronic option for electors to mark their own ballot privately and independently, is available at Parkinson Recreation Centre.

On general election day, residents will have 13 locations to choose from, including new this year, Black Box Theatre in downtown Kelowna, Kelowna Senior Citizens’ Society on Richter Street, Mission Creek Alliance Church on Springfield Road and Rutland Elementary School on Webster Road. Voting will not take place this year at City Hall, Orchard Park Shopping Centre, or Rutland Senior School.

You can register on-site with two pieces of ID that prove your identity as a Kelowna resident. To be eligible you must be 18 years or older as of Oct. 15, 2022, have lived in B.C. for at least six months and be a Canadian citizen. While voters must reside in Kelowna city limits they do not need to own property to vote.

There are five candidates running for mayor of Kelowna and 32 vying for eight city councillor seats. Voters can also cast ballots for school board trustees. Find out more here.