(SHELLEY JORDAN / iNFOnews.ca)

KELOWNA - A media release sent out by the City of Kelowna reported that 3,024 people have cast their ballots for the city's 2018 municipal elections.

That is the culmination of the first two advance voting days on Oct. 10 and 13. The city's annual report states that the 2017 population of Kelowna was 129,500. So if 3024 people out of 129,500 voted then that means roughly two per cent of people voted on a decision that will affect 100 per cent of the population over the next four years.

However, if we take into account that not all Kelowna residents can vote that number looks more like three per cent with an estimated 92,000 eligible voters from 2014 data. 

That being said, there are still plenty of opportunities to vote.

“We’ve provided even more advance voting days and locations this year, including a Saturday advance poll for the first time,” Chief Election Officer Karen Needham says in a media release. “We are really pleased with the overall numbers and feel like the Saturday advance option was well received by Kelowna residents.”

There were 966 voters who cast ballots on the first advance voting day, Oct. 10.  On Saturday, Oct. 13, there were 2,058 voter at the four polls at Evangel Church, Parkinson Recreation Centre, Hollywood Education Centre and Watson Road Elementary for a total of 3,024 for the first week of advanced voting.

Residents will have the opportunity to vote during any of the four remaining voting days next week. Advance voting takes place Wednesday to Friday, with General Voting Day on Saturday, Oct. 20.

Advance polls are open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the following:

Wednesday, Oct. 17

• Parkinson Recreation Centre, 1800 Parkinson Way
• City Hall, 1435 Water Street
• Okanagan College, Centre for Learning Atrium, 1000 KLO Road
• UBC Okanagan, Engineering Management & Education Foyer, 1137 Alumni Ave

Thursday, Oct. 18 and Friday, Oct. 19

• Parkinson Recreation Centre, 1800 Parkinson Way

Election Day is Saturday, Oct. 20. Residents have 12 locations to choose from, including Orchard Park Shopping Centre open 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. All other Election Day voting locations are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. All voting locations are accessible to all electors, including a voter assist terminal at Parkinson Recreation Centre.

Registration is done on site at the poll where you decide to vote. You will need to bring two pieces of ID that prove your identity and Kelowna residency. One must have your signature and one with your address to prove you live in Kelowna.

Go here to view a map of poll locations online.

—This story was corrected at 3:32 p.m. on Oct. 14, 2018, a previous version did not include Kelowna residents who are not elligible to vote. 

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