Surrey city staff figure the October 17 general election will cost taxpayers about $3,448,004 and also projects there will be 352,148 registered voters, 123,252 ballots cast and a voter turnout of 35 per cent.<\/p>\n
That\u2019s the funding as set out in the City of Surrey\u2019s 2026 corporate services department operating budget, including a five per cent contingency.<\/p>\n
Joey Brar, Surrey\u2019s general manager of corporate service, has a report coming before council on Monday indicating the city is \u201cwell positioned to deliver a legally compliant and positive election experience for voters.\u201d<\/p>\n
Surrey residents elect a new council and school board every four years. The last one, in 2022, saw 339,640 registered voters and recorded 118,908 ballots cast with a turnout of 34.5 per cent.<\/p>\n
Brar said city hall typically begins election planning two years in advance \u201cto provide adequate time to evaluate technologies, secure facilities and enhance processes.\u201d This election is projected to see a 3.7 per cent increase in eligible voters over the last one.<\/p>\n
\u201cBased on growth and historical trends, turnout for 2026 is projected to remain consistent at approximately 35 per cent, with operational capacity in place to accommodate significantly higher volumes, if required,\u201d Brar reports.<\/p>\n
He noted that advance voting opportunities in 2022 were \u201cwell received,\u201d with the turnout increasing by more than<\/p>\n
60 per cent over the 2018 election. \u201cBuilding on that success, the 2026 election will feature expanded advance voting options, including advance voting opportunities in each town centre to make voting more convenient and accessible,\u201d Brar says.<\/p>\n
There were 288 advance polling hours in 2022 across six locations and for 2026 this will increase to 480 across ten locations, making for a 67 per cent increase in advance voting hours.<\/p>\n
\u201cBy expanding advance voting across more locations, residents will have greater flexibility to vote at a time and place that works for them. This expansion is expected to reduce the number of voters casting ballots on general voting day, helping to minimize wait times and create a better voting experience,\u201d Brar explained.<\/p>\n
The 2026 advance voting schedule is Wednesday, October 7, Saturday, October 10, Wednesday, October 14, and Thursday, October 15, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. with advance polling locations at Kwantlen Park Secondary School (Whalley), Guildford Recreation Centre (Guildford), Fraser Heights Recreation Centre (Guildford), Fleetwood Community Centre (Fleetwood), Princess Margaret Secondary School (Newton), Frank Hurt Secondary School (Newton), Ecole Panorama Ridge Secondary School (Newton), Cloverdale Recreation Centre (Cloverdale), Semiahmoo Secondary School (South Surrey), and Earl Marriott Secondary School (South Surrey)<\/p>\n
Eligible voters can also request a mail ballot up to a deadline to be determined by the chief election officer.<\/p>\n
In the 2022 election, 1,961 voted by mail.<\/p>\n
After the election, candidates must remove all election signage within 14 days. \u201cAny signs not removed within that timeframe may be removed and disposed of by the City, with all related costs charged to the responsible party,\u201d Brar noted.<\/p>\n