How will voting work in B.C. during a pandemic?

Ready or not, British Columbians are heading to the pollson Oct. 24.

NDP Leader John Horgan called the snap election on Sept. 21, just 32 days before voting day.More than half a million mail-in ballots have already been sent to voters and advance voting begins this week.

Here's what we know about the way voting will work during a pandemic, and how you can exercise your democratic right safely. Be sure to register to vote with Elections BC.

Click to jump to a question:

• Can I vote online?
• What about by phone?
• Will I have to to go line up to vote in-person on Oct. 24?
• When is advance voting?
• When can I vote at a district electoral office?
• How do I get a mail-in ballot?
• What is the cut-off date for a mail-in ballot?
• I'd rather vote in person on Oct. 24. Will it be safe?
• How will I hear from politiciansif they aren't out on thecampaign trail?
• Wait, the election is on a Saturday?

Can Ivote online?

No.Elections BCsaid there are still too many security risks.

"An independent panel on internet voting explored the possibility of internet voting in a B.C. election in 2014, and found that the security risks are too great. Since then the situation hasn't changed: the technology isn't where it needs to be to ensure a secure election," read the office's website.

What about by phone?

Voting by phone will only be an option for at-risk voters and those who cannot vote another way. This includes people with disabilities or underlying health conditions as well as those living in a hospital or long-term care facility. It also includes people who are in self-isolation because they were exposed to COVID-19.

People voting by phone need toregisterin advance. They will confirm their identity to an operatorbefore their call is transferred, anonymously, to a separate team to log their vote.

Telephone voting is a more cumbersome processthan voting by mail, according to Elections BC, and is only best for those will accessibility issues and those living in care.

So, will I have to leave my house to line up andvote?

Not if you don't want to. There will be seven days of advance voting and the opportunity to vote by mail.

"There will be ample new opportunities through advance voting as well as mail-in ballots to ensure that people can participate in our democratic process from the comfort of their own home," Horgansaid.

Voters who are feeling sick, self-isolating or who have COVID-19 should not go to a voting place in person. They should contact Elections BC for guidance on how to vote safely.

WATCH | Horganexplains the decision to call afall election:

NDP Leader John Horgan explains decision to call fall election

4 years ago

Duration 1:16

Horgan says the decision was not easy, but delaying the vote risks "instability." British Columbians will go to the polls on Oct. 24.

When is advance voting?

Theadvance voting period runs from Thursday, Oct.15 to Wednesday, Oct.21.

Seven days of advancevoting is one day more than the six allotted in 2017. According to Elections BC, the additional daygives voters more options and will help reduce crowding at voting sites.

Advancevoting locations will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time.

When can I vote at a district electoral office?

Now.You can vote at any district electoral office in the provinceuntil 4 p.m.on Oct.24. Offices will be open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Findfull list of district electoral officeshere.

How do I get a mail-in ballot?

Voting by mailis a safeoption for thosewho haveunderlying health conditions andthosewho do not wantto vote in person, according to Elections BC.

Any voter in the provincecan request a vote-by-mail package from Elections BConline or by calling Voter Services at 1-800-661-8683.The package will be mailed to you or you can pick it up at one of 88district electoral offices in B.C.

If you request your ballot before candidates nominationsclose on Oct. 2, you will need to find the names of the candidates in your district and fill in the names yourself. Be careful to spell the names properly and write clearly.

You can also mark the political party for which you wish to vote.

Ballots requested after Oct. 2 will come completewith candidate names.

What is the cut-off date for a mail-in ballot?

Your package needs to make it backto adistrict electoral office before 8 p.m. PT on Oct. 24, or your vote will not count. If you are mailing your package, rather than delivering it to the office in person, do it as early as possible.

I'd rather vote in person on Oct. 24. Will it be safe?

Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry has been working with Elections BCto ensure voting in person can be done safely, andChief Electoral Officer Anton Boegmansaid voters will not have to choose between safeguarding their health and exercising their right to vote.

Elections BCsaid voters must wear a mask in order to cast their ballot in person. They can bring their own or use one provided by Elections BC. Voterswill not be asked to remove their masks. They will be asked to sanitize their hands before and after marking the ballot.

Voters may also bring their own pen or pencil to the polling stationif they wish.

Other pandemic voting protocols include:

• Physical distancing.
• Capacity limits based on square footage of a voting place.
• Election officials wearing personal protective equipment, such as masks and face shields.
• Protective barriers.
• Hand sanitizing stations.
• Frequent cleaning of voting stations and frequently touched surfaces.

Other voting practices are also going to be a little different. For example, voters will be asked to make a verbal declaration of their eligibilityinstead of signing a voting book. The public is also asked to dress appropriately if the weather is poor, in case they have to line up outside to ensure physical distancing.

"Dr. Henry and Elections BChave worked very, very hard to make sure that British Columbians will not be putting themselves at risk. Just as we're going to work, just as we're shopping for groceries, we can vote safely," said Horgan.

How will I hear from politiciansif they aren't out on thecampaign trail?

Candidates are usually accessible to the public and the media over the course of an election campaign, hitting the campaign trail to plug their election platforms and answer accountability questions. Much of the campaigning this year will be done remotely because of the pandemic,but the internet is not always going to reach everybody.

Horgan said campaigns will comply with public health orders and get "creative" to engage with the public.

"As with all campaigns, leaflets will be available door-to-door, I'm sure, and information about candidates in local constituencies will be available through a variety of platforms, not just the internet. The good news is many seniors have landlines being able to contact those who are not adept at the internet is going to be the easiest part of the campaign, quite frankly, but it will be different," he said.

Campaign staff and candidatesare subject to the same public health rules as anybody else in B.C.

Wait, the election is on a Saturday?

Yes. Under legislation passed in October 2017, provincial elections in B.C. are to be held on the third Saturday in October instead ofthe second Tuesday in May. At the time, David Eby, then attorney general,said the change was made soJanuary budgets couldbe debated and passed before an election.

The election on Oct. 24 willbe the first election in B.C. held during a pandemic and the first since the Second World War to be held during a state of emergency.