Info Guide for Transgender and Gender-diverse voters
This guide will focus on voting information for the 2026 provincial elections in BC.
In October, BC will hold both Municipal and Provincial elections. Visit elections.bc.ca to learn more about voting in the upcoming elections. The provincial election is scheduled for Saturday, October 24, 2026.
The municipal elections are scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2026. Please visit your local municipal website to learn more about voting in your local elections.
Eligibility - Who Can Vote
You can vote if you are:
a Canadian citizen,
18 or older on October 24, 2026, and
a resident of B.C. for at least six months immediately before you register to vote (since April 23, 2026).
A person’s sex, gender and sex indicator on their ID doesn’t affect their right to vote.
Voter ID
All voters must prove their identity and residential address before voting. There are three ways to do this.
Option 1: Show one of the following government-issued IDs
a BC driver’s licence,
a BC Identification Card (BCID),
a BC Services Card (with photo),
a Certificate of Indian Status, or
Another card issued by the Government of B.C. or Canada that shows your name, photo and address.
Option 2: Show any two pieces of ID or documents that both show your name. At least one must have your current address.
Option 3: Voters who don’t have ID can be vouched for. The voucher must be:
a registered voter resident in the voter’s electoral district, or
a spouse, parent, grandparent, adult child, adult grandchild or adult sibling of the voter, or
a person with the authority to make personal care decisions for the voter.
Vouchers must provide acceptable identification. The voter and the voucher must each make a solemn declaration confirming the voter’s identity and residential address.
Visit elections.bc.ca/id for more information about vouching and a complete list of acceptable ID.
Register to Vote
In order to vote, you will need to be a registered voter first. You can register to vote or update your voter information at eregister.electionsbc.gov.bc.ca.
The last day to register in advance (either online or by phone) is Thursday, October 1, 2026. If you miss the deadline, check online for the nearest polling station and register when you arrive on voting day.
You must register or update your voter information to make sure you receive a Where to Vote card.
Ways to Vote
Voters can vote throughout the voting period from October 16 until October 24. Voters can vote in-person at any voting place or district electoral office in the province, so you can choose to vote in a location or neighbourhood where you feel the most comfortable. Voters can also vote by mail.
Advance voting is on October 16-21 | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (local time). Advance voting is a convenient option for all voters – you don’t need a reason to vote at advance voting. Voters can vote at any advance voting location.
Final Voting Day is on October 24 | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pacific time). Voters have an assigned voting place on Final Voting Day. Your assigned voting place will be listed on your Where to Vote card.
Vote at a district electoral office from when offices open until 4 p.m. (Pacific time) on October 24. District electoral offices are opening across the province. You can vote at any district electoral office once it is open.
Vote by mail. Complete a vote-by-mail package and return your completed vote-by-mail package by 8 p.m. (Pacific time) on October 24 to Elections BC.
Request a vote-by-mail package as soon as possible to make sure you can receive and return it on time!
The last day to request a vote-by-mail package online or by phone is October 18.
Voters can ask for a vote-by-mail package by:
Visiting elections.bc.ca/votebymail
Calling Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683
Completed packages can be returned by mail or dropped off at any district electoral office or voting place.
Visit wheretovote.elections.bc.ca to find the location of voting places. Voting by mail is an option for all eligible voters. Visit elections.bc.ca for more details about ways to vote.
FAQ's & Answers
Does the name on my ID have to match the name on my voter registration?
Yes. You can register or update your information at elections.bc.ca/register or by calling 1-800-661-8683. You can also register or update your information when you go to vote.
If I vote in-person, what name will election workers use to identify me?
When handing you your ballot, election workers will use your legal name. The only way to bypass this is to request a mail-in ballot as soon as possible and vote via mail.
Do I have to show photo ID to vote?
No. You are not required to show photo ID. There are many other options you can choose. Visit elections.bc.ca/id for more information.
If I use photo ID, does my photo have to match my appearance?
No. Your photo and appearance don’t have to match.
If I use two pieces of ID, do the sex indicators on the ID have to be the same?
No. If you are using two pieces of ID, it is acceptable if they have different sex indicators as long as they show the same name.
When I register or vote, will I be asked to indicate my sex or gender?
No. This information isn’t required to register or vote in BC. Elections BC won’t ask you for this information during registration or voting.
I want to make sure my previous name does not appear on my Where to Vote card. How can I do this?
The best way to ensure that your voter record is updated and that you do not receive a Where to Vote card in your previous name is to update your voter registration online at elections.bc.ca/register. Please provide as much information as possible so our computer systems can automatically locate your old record and update it with your new name. The privacy of your personal information will be protected. You can also call us at 1-800-661-8683 to update your information.
