TEAM for a Livable Vancouver Demands Fair Access for All Voters in 2026 Civic Election

Lack of polling stations in the 2025 by-election caused long lineups that resulted in many voters giving up

VANCOUVER, MAY 21 – TEAM for a Livable Vancouver is calling for at least 125 voting stations distributed evenly across the city to ensure that every eligible voter can cast a ballot in the Oct. 17 civic election. 

The party has launched a petition that urges City Council to take the steps needed to ensure that all voters are able to exercise their democratic right on Oct. 17. 

TEAM’s concern stems from the botched by-election on April 5 last year. Across the entire city, there were only 25 polling places. There were huge voting lines on the west side of the city because there were only four polling places west of Cambie Street. Thousands of eligible voters were disenfranchised. In the 2017 by-election, in contrast, there were 51 voting places city-wide and 17 of them were on the west side.

Prior to the 2025 by-election, Council didn’t question or push back against the 50% reduction in polling places recommended in a city manager’s report adopted on Jan. 21, 2025. 

“This is a dangerous and disturbing trend,” says TEAM mayoral candidate Colleen Hardwick. “People have to wait in longer lines and can’t exercise their democratic rights in a timely fashion. We heard from residents who went to vote that Saturday afternoon and just gave up.”

TEAM believes that access to polling stations is especially crucial in a city that – unlike almost every other in North America – lacks a ward system. Since voters can't choose their own neighbourhood representatives, they should at least be able to choose those they think will represent them best.