Nearly 7,000 Kelowna residents cast ballots in first two days of advance voting

Nearly 7,000 Kelowna residents have already voted in the 2026 municipal election, with three more opportunities to cast a ballot before general voting day on Saturday.

The City of Kelowna says 2,811 ballots were cast during advance voting on Wednesday, Oct. 7, at Parkinson Recreation Centre and MNP Place. A further 4,167 residents voted Saturday, Oct. 10, at four locations across the city.

That brings the total to 6,978 ballots cast during the first two advance voting days.

“We’re encouraged by the turnout so far,” said Michael Jud, the city’s chief election officer.

Less than one-third of eligible voters participated in Kelowna’s 2022 municipal election, according to the city.

Advance voting continues Wednesday, Oct. 14, Thursday, Oct. 15, and Friday, Oct. 16, ahead of general voting day on Oct. 17. On Wednesday, voters can cast ballots at Parkinson Recreation Centre, the Black Box Theatre, Okanagan College and the University of British Columbia Okanagan. The college and university locations close at 6 p.m., while the other locations are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Parkinson Recreation Centre will be open for advance voting Thursday, while Parkinson Recreation Centre and MNP Place will offer voting Friday. Those locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

General voting day is Saturday, Oct. 17, with 13 voting locations available across Kelowna. A full list of locations and election information is available at kelowna.ca/election.’

Jud says local government decisions have a direct impact on residents’ everyday lives, including transit, housing, recreation and climate action.

Voters must bring identification. The city recommends bringing two pieces of ID, including at least one showing a signature and one showing a current address.