Victoria residents still waiting for their mail-in ballots are urged to vote in person as Canada Post delivery delays may cause them to arrive too late to count. The City of Victoria says completed mail ballots must be received by 8 p.m. on Oct. 17 to be counted. Voters who have not received their ballots are encouraged to go to an advance voting location this week rather than wait for the mail. Those who have received their ballots should return them in person instead of sending them through Canada Post. Completed mail ballots can be placed in the drop box at the Pandora Avenue entrance to City Hall, returned during advance voting or delivered to any polling place on election day. Someone else can drop off a completed ballot on a voter’s behalf. Anyone delivering a mail ballot to a voting location can skip the regular voting line and use the designated Mail Ballot Box or ask an election official for assistance. Where to vote Crystal Garden, at 713 Douglas St., is open for advance voting Tuesday, Oct. 13, through Thursday, Oct. 15, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. An accessible voting machine is available there. Advance voting is also available Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the University of Victoria’s Student Union Building, in the Michèle Pujol Room at 3800 Finnerty Rd. On general voting day, Saturday, Oct. 17, polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Voters can cast their ballots at any of these 12 locations: Already mailed your ballot? Voters who have already mailed their completed ballots but are concerned they will not arrive in time can still vote in person. The city says each voter’s choice will be counted only once. Anyone who votes in person and later receives their mail ballot should dispose of the unused ballot. Accessible voting options All voting locations are wheelchair accessible, and priority lines are available for those who need them. Voters who cannot enter a polling place can request to vote from their vehicle or at the curb. Voters who need help marking their ballot because of a physical disability or difficulty reading or writing can bring another person to assist them. That person must sign a declaration. Election officials can also help. Voters can find additional details, including parking maps and voting information, at victoria.ca/election.
