B.C. Votes in Snap Election After Eby's Bid for a Fresh Mandate

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published October 24, 2026

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British Columbia's political future is on the ballot Saturday as voters decide whether to give Premier David Eby's New Democrats another term or change course after a closely fought five-week campaign.

Eby called the election two years early, initially citing the challenges posed by U.S. trade policy. On Friday, he acknowledged that frustration with a legislature in which his party held a one-seat majority was also behind his decision, telling reporters he regretted not making that clearer earlier, according to The Canadian Press.

The campaign has centred on affordability, health care, housing and government finances. The NDP is proposing higher taxes on annual earnings above $1 million to support public services, while the Conservatives, led by interim leader Lorne Doerkson, have promised no tax increases and a higher basic personal income tax exemption. Emily Lowan's Greens have advocated a wealth tax and expanded community health services.

A final Ipsos poll conducted for Global BC put Conservative support at 44 per cent among decided voters, five points ahead of the NDP at 39 per cent. The Greens stood at 13 per cent. The survey of 1,260 adults was conducted October 20–22 and published Friday, providing a measure of pre-election opinion rather than the outcome.

More than 891,000 British Columbians voted in advance, representing approximately 24 per cent of registered voters, according to The Canadian Press.

Voters will elect representatives to the province's 93-seat legislature.

Elections BC says polling stations will operate from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific time, with preliminary results released after voting closes. Mail-in and certain absentee ballots will be counted later, with the final count scheduled for November 6–10.