Advance voting polls open in Chilliwack

As the election gets tighter and tighter, with fewer campaign days remaining, the race has drawn interest far and wide. Who will control B.C.'s resources? Who will deal with education funding and teaching staff negotiations? Who will inherit the deficit, and how will the winning party fix this?

Every vote counts as candidates battle for top dog in the Chilliwack ridings.

Advance voting is officially underway for the 2013 provincial election, from Wednesday to Saturday. Otherwise, polls will be open on general voting day on May 14.

For residents in the Chilliwack riding, voting booths are open May 8–11, at Evergreen Hall, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

For residents in the Chilliwack-Hope riding, advance polling is at the Tzeachten Community Hall in Chilliwack, the Royal Canadian Legion in Hope, the Canyon Lanes Bowling Alley in Boston Bar, and the Agassiz Agricultural Association Hall in Kent.

On general election day next Tuesday, Chilliwack riding residents can vote 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at one of 16 locations, including Evergreen Hall, Chilliwack Alliance Church, Sardis Secondary School, and the Yarrow Mennonite Brethren Church.

Chilliwack-Hope riding residents can choose among 17 voting locations on May 14, including Mt. Slesse Middle School, Agassiz Agricultural Association Hall, Harrison Hot Springs Memorial Hall, and Silver Creek Elementary School in Hope.

For additional locations, download the list of voting places.

Not sure about your riding? Most of Chilliwack is in the Chilliwack riding, except for residents living southeast of the intersection of Lickman Rd. and South Sumas Rd., or east of Prest Rd. These residents are in the Chilliwack-Hope riding, including people living in the communities of Garrison Village, Promontory, and Cultus Lake, and parts of Rosedale. Elections B.C. has a handy tool online to determine your riding immediately after providing your address.

Not registered to vote? You can still show up at a voting booth and get your voice heard. Just bring along a driver's licence, B.C. Services Card, or other photo identification with an address.

Canadian citizens over 18 years of age, residents of their electoral districts, and B.C. residents of at least six months, may vote.

After this year, your next chances to choose your candidates won't be for many years. The next two provincial elections are on May 9, 2017, and May 11, 2021.