Vancouver byelection count delayed as voters remain in line after polls close

CBC News

· Posted: Apr 06, 2025 12:14 AM EDT | Last Updated: 5 minutes ago

Vote counting successful Vancouver's two-seat metropolis assembly byelection has been delayed, with the metropolis confirming results volition not beryllium shared until each remaining voters successful enactment astatine the 25 polling stations have formed their ballots.

"Anyone who was in-line erstwhile the polls closed astatine 8 p.m. volition person the accidental to formed their votes, truthful we cannot statesman to stock immoderate results until the past elector has formed a ballot," said Natti Schmid, elections communications and outreach manager for the City of Vancouver.

"The predetermination results volition apt beryllium aboriginal than anticipated."

CBC News has received aggregate reports of agelong lines astatine polling stations crossed the city, including Strathcona Community Centre and Kitsilano War Memorial Community Centre, with immoderate locations seeing astir 100 radical waiting to ballot good past the authoritative adjacent of polls astatine 8 p.m.

Earlier Saturday, TEAM for a Livable Vancouver called connected the Vancouver Election Office to summation staffing levels, citing reported hold times of up to 90 minutes astatine Trout Lake and Kitsilano locations.

"This mediocre readying for voting stations is demonstrably discouraging radical from exercising their antiauthoritarian close to vote," said TEAM spokesperson Sal Robinson successful a statement.

In a station connected X, Mayor Ken Sim told residents: "If you're successful enactment earlier the 8 p.m. cut off, you volition beryllium capable to formed your ballot — nary substance however agelong the enactment is. Make your dependable heard and assistance signifier the aboriginal of our city."

Interest successful the ballot has been high, with a grounds turnout for beforehand voting and mail-in ballots successful a byelection.

There are 13 candidates running successful the byelection to capable 2 seats near vacant by erstwhile councillor Christine Boyle, who was elected arsenic an MLA, and longtime Green councillor Adriane Carr, who retired earlier this year. 

Live results volition beryllium posted vancouver.ca/results erstwhile counting begins.