(North Cowichan photo)
Election Notebook #15: First day of advance voting shows strong public interest in this fall's North Cowichan election
Voter turnout thought to be "highest ever" for a first advance poll in the municipality
If the results of the first day of advance voting are any measure, this fall's North Cowichan municipal election has captured the interest of the electorate.
Tricia Mayea , Chief Election Officer, told Six Mountains that 892 people cast votes Wednesday, which is up significantly from the 2022 election and 2025 byelection.
She added: "I think we can safely say" that the number of votes represent the "highest ever turnout for the first advance poll ever" in North Cowichan.
During the 2022 general local election, 522 votes were cast on the first day of advanced voting, representing six per cent of the total turnout.
(North Cowichan election report)
During the April 2025 byelection, 416 people voted on the first day of advance voting, representing nine per cent of the total turnout.
The voter turnout was just 18 per cent in 2025 compared with 32 per cent in 2022.
The next advanced voting opportunity is October 13, from 8 am to 8 pm, at North Cowichan Municipal Hall, 7030 Trans-Canada Highway.
Municipal election day is October 17.
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— Larry Pynn, Oct. 7, 2026
