Kelowna lags in pre-vote

Photo: Nicholas Johansen

There seems to be more interest in this year's civic elections than four years ago across the Central Okanagan – except in Kelowna.

Voter turnout for the first day of advance polling, Wednesday, was up in most municipalities.

Kelowna was the exception. Only 966 people turned up for the first day of advance polls at City Hall and Parkinson Rec Centre.

In 2014, 1,540 votes were cast on day one, while 2,063 voted on the first day in 2011.

Everywhere else, the numbers are up.

In West Kelowna, 742 people cast ballots on the first day of advance voting. That compares with 401 in 2014.

In Peachland, 263 people made their way to the ballot boxes, up about 35 per cent from the 193 votes cast four years ago.

In Lake Country, 399 ballots were marked Wednesday. That's on pace to outperform 2014, when 560 people showed up for the two days of advance balloting.

Eligible voters have more opportunities to cast ballots before general voting day Oct. 20.

In Kelowna, seven advance polls will run through Oct. 19. These include:

• Parkinson Rec Centre, Oct. 13, 17, 18 and 19
• City Hall, Oct. 17
• Watson Road Elementary, Oct. 13
• Hollywood Road Education Centre, Oct. 13
• Evangel Church, Oct. 13
• Okanagan College, Oct. 17
• UBC Okanagan, Oct. 17

In West Kelowna, advance polls will be open Oct. 16 at the Lions Community Centre.

In Peachland, advance polls will open again Oct. 17 at the Peachland Community Centre.

Voters in Lake Country can cast ballots Oct. 15 at Municipal Hall.

In the Regional District of Central Okanagan, early voting will be held in two locations. For voters in the Okanagan East Electoral area, advance polls will be open Oct. 16 at the Ellison Community Hall and Joe Rich Community Hall.

And, for those in the Okanagan West Electoral area, polls will be set up at the Westbank First Nation office, and Killiney Beach Community Centre Oct. 16.

All polling places will be open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m.