The accessibility of our communities is often decided closer to home than we think.
For people living with SCI and related disabilities, many of the issues that affect daily life, from accessible transportation and housing to recreation programs, sidewalks, parks and community services, are influenced by decisions made by local governments. Many of the accessibility concerns we hear through SCI BC’s InfoLine and Peer Program fall under the responsibility of municipal councils, regional districts, and school boards.
On Saturday, October 17, eligible British Columbians will vote in municipal elections, choosing the local leaders who will help shape their communities for the next four years.
Whether accessibility, inclusion, housing, transportation, or community services are top of mind, voting is an opportunity to have a say in the decisions that affect everyday life and help build more accessible, inclusive communities.
Why Voting Matters
Municipalities are responsible for many aspects of daily life that directly affect people with disabilities. Some examples include:
- Local roads, sidewalks, and curb cuts.
- Accessible parking on city streets.
- Transit (in conjunction with either BC Transit or Translink)
- Amount of property taxes and how the money is spent
- Local parks and trails
- Snow and ice control on local roads and sidewalks (where applicable).
- Local buildings (city hall, many recreation centres, public libraries)
- Enforcement of the BC Building Code
- Land use planning
Questions you could ask local candidates to help in your decision-making process:
- What does accessibility mean to you?
- What personal or family experience do you have around disability or accessibility issues?
- Please talk about how the Accessible BC Act is being implemented in your community.
- How do you plan to improve accessibility in your community if elected?
Make sure to do your own research on which candidate represents your values the most. Follow your local news or tune into debates to find out more about each candidate so that you can make an informed decision.
Accessibility and Voting Information by Municipality
We’ve compiled some general accessibility information about voting procedures for some of the larger communities across BC. Keep scrolling to find information on your specific city or town.
Voting Date: Saturday, October 17, 8 am – 8 pm plus selected advanced polls depending on location.
Voters at any location can request assistance with physically marking their ballot, either from a companion (who will be required to sign a form) or from an election official. Municipalities have additional options available for accessible voting.
If your community isn’t listed, InfoLine can help you find your local accessible voting options. Call 1 800 689-2477, email info@sci-bc.ca or text 778-247-2477 for more information.
Please note: This information below is accurate to the best of our knowledge, taken from municipal voting websites, however, we cannot guarantee this information won’t change over the next month. Accessibility of voting locations is reported by municipal staff who may have different perceptions of what accessible means.
Abbotsford
In Person: Vote in person on Advance Voting Days (October 7, 10, and 11, 2026) Â or on General Voting Day. See website for voting locations.
Vote by Mail: Request a Mail Ballot (no info on how yet)
More information on the election in Abbotsford.
Burnaby
You can access voting through curbside voting, vote by mail and through the use of an assisted ballot marking device. Translation and over-the-phone interpretation services are also available.
Curbside voting
Curbside voting is available at all voting locations in Burnaby. If you have difficulty entering the voting location, you may ask to receive and mark your ballot outside (curbside voting). You may bring someone with you who can advise the Presiding Election Official that you need assistance or call the Burnaby Election Office at 604-294-7088 to arrange for help. Election workers will come to your vehicle and complete the steps necessary for voting.
Vote by Mail
All eligible Burnaby voters may vote by mail. Applications for mail ballot voting will open at 9 am on August 31.
Assisted ballot marking device
An assisted ballot marking device is available at Edmonds Community Centre on all voting days. This device will assist voters who may have difficulty hand-marking a ballot with an audio tactile interface, paddle buttons and sip and puff.
More information on the election in Burnaby.
Chilliwack
Can request a ballot to vote by mail up to Oct. 14 either online or call 604-793-2986 for help. Curbside voting is available.
More information on the election in Chilliwack.
Comox
Curbside voting and voting by mail options are available. Find the form online and return it by Sept. 25. Call 250 339 2202 for help.
More information on the election in Comox.
Courtenay
- All advance and general voting locations are wheelchair accessible.
- All eligible voters may vote by mail ballot.
- Assistance is available for voters unable to mark a ballot due to a physical disability or difficulty with reading or writing.
- Voters may bring a friend to assist, or request assistance from an election official.
- ASL interpretation will be available at the Florence Filberg Centre on general voting day.
More information on the election in Courtenay.
Fort St. John
If you require help marking your ballot, an election official or a person accompanying you may assist you inside a voting location due to a disability or challenges with reading or writing. If you bring someone to assist you, they will be required to complete a declaration in order to provide assistance.Â
Curbside Voting
If you aren’t physically able to enter a voting location, a ballot can be brought out to you for curbside voting if you have difficulty entering a voting location due to a physical disability or impaired mobility.Â
More information on the election in Fort St. John.
Kamloops
Visit Maps.Kamloops.ca/Election2026 for details about all 2026 General Local Election polling locations, including addresses, accessibility information, and bus route details.
- Aberdeen Elementary School: 280 m (paved) to nearest bus stop, sidewalk and/or curb, some sloped location
- Arthur Hatton Elementary School: 300 m (paved) to nearest bus stop, sidewalk and/or curb,
- Arthur Stevenson Elementary School: 450 m to nearest bus stop (paved sidewalk ends after the bus stop), curb is at the bus stop only & sidewalk ends after the bus stop
- Beattie Elementary School: 32 m (paved) to nearest bus stop, sidewalk and/or curb, sloped location
- Brocklehurst Middle School: 230 m (paved) to nearest bus stop, sidewalk and/or curb
- Dallas Elementary School: 120 m to nearest bus stop (no curbed sidewalk, only paved shoulder for pedestrians.)
- Dufferin Elementary School: 250 m (paved) to nearest bus stop, sidewalk and/or curb, some sloped location
- Heritage House (also available for advance voting): 350 m (paved) to nearest bus stop, sidewalk and/or curb, some sloped location
- Juniper Ridge Elementary School: 160 m (paved) to nearest bus stop, sidewalk and/or curb, some sloped location
- Lloyd George Elementary School: 450 m (paved) to nearest bus stop, sidewalk and/or curb, some sloped location
- McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre (advance voting only): 500 m (paved) to nearest bus stop, sidewalk and/or curb
- NorKam Secondary School: 280 m to nearest bus stop (paved on one side of the street.), sidewalk and/or curb (sidewalk ends after entering the school parking lot)
- Ralph Bell Elementary School: 37 m (paved) to nearest bus stop, sidewalk and/or curb
- Rayleigh Elementary School: 100 m (NOT paved) to nearest bus stop, sidewalk and/or curb
- R.L. Clemitson Elementary School: 88 m (NOT paved) to nearest bus stop, sloped location
- South Sahali Elementary School: 400 m (paved) to nearest bus stop, sidewalk and/or curb (sidewalk ends after entering the school parking lot), sloped location
- Westmount Elementary School
- Distance To Nearest Bus Stop 200 m to nearest bus stop (curbed sidewalk ends after the bus stop), sidewalk and/or curb (the curb is at the bus stop only, sidewalk ends after the bus stop), sloped location
More information on the election in Kamloops.
Kelowna
All voting locations in the City of Kelowna are accessible to voters. This includes general accessibility, an accessible voting layout, and curbside voting available upon request for voters who are unable to enter the voting place.
On-site assistance
Voters may also receive assistance if needed. An individual of their choice—or an election official—can take an oath to help by:
- translating during the registration process, and/or
- providing written assistance to help mark a ballot.
Voter assist terminal
For voters with differing abilities who prefer to mark their ballot independently, a voter assist terminal is available. This electronic option allows voters to vote privately and independently and will be located at Parkinson Recreation Centre during all advance and general voting days.
Special Voting
Special voting opportunities are also provided for eligible residents, family members, and staff in some long-term care facilities, in coordination with Interior Health. Special voting will also be offered at Kelowna General Hospital during designated hours on general voting day.
More information on the election in Kelowna.
Nanaimo
Map with interactive info about accessibility + a text list of accessibility info
The interactive Voting Locations Map has information on voting place entry points, accessible parking stalls and other considerations to help you choose the voting location that works best for you.
If you require a translator: You may bring a translator to help you at the voting location if you need assistance. The translator will be required to complete a declaration in order to provide assistance.
If you require help marking your ballot: An election official or a person accompanying you may help you mark your ballot if you require assistance inside a voting location due to a disability or challenges with reading or writing. If you bring someone to assist you, they will be required to complete a declaration in order to provide assistance.Â
If you aren’t physically able to enter a voting location: A ballot can be brought out to you for curbside voting if you have difficulty entering a voting location due to a physical disability or impaired mobility.Â
When you arrive at the voting location, you can call the contact number that will be available in the parking lot or someone accompanying you can notify the Presiding Election Official about the request for curbside voting.
More information on the election in Nanaimo.
North Vancouver
Order a mail-in ballot online. Requests must be received by Oct. 1.
Curbside voting is available for advanced polling and general election days. See locations and times. Special polls available for people in hospital on voting day.
Parksville
Curbside voting available at all polling locations. Mail in voting is available.
More information on the election in Parksville.
Prince George
Curbside voting available for advanced polling and general voting day, but only at the Prince George Conference and Civic Centre location. An AutoMARK machine is available at this location as well, offering a variety of accessibility features, including enhanced audio and visual options, braille-marked keypads, and sip-and-puff controls. All polling locations are listed as being accessible. It says that voting by mail is available but there is no information on the website about how to get a ballot.
More information on the election in Prince George.
Richmond
Richmond strives to have polling locations that are accessible to all but specific features will vary. Curbside voting is available at all polling locations. Call 604-276-4100 when you arrive and an election worker will come to you.
An accessible ballot marking device is available at Richmond City Hall on advance voting dates (October 3, 7, 8, 9 and 10). This option will allow you to mark your ballot independently by using descriptive audio, touch screen, Braille, rocker paddle device, and sip and puff device.
Mail in ballots must be requested by Oct. 9.
More information on the election in Richmond.
Surrey
Apply to vote by mail by Oct. 14, but any ballot requested after Oct. 7 will need to be picked up at City Hall. Curbside voting is available for all voting locations. All locations are accessible to wheelchair users.
More information on the election in Surrey.
Vancouver
Request your Vote by Mail package by October 5 at noon to have it mailed to you. Deadline to request a ballot for pick up at the Election Office is October 13.
Voting at home: If you’re eligible, an election worker can visit your home at a scheduled time to help you vote. Phone 604-673-8320 or email specialvoting@vancouver.ca to learn more.
Assistive ballot marking devices are available with:
- Sip-and-puff controls
- Paddle controls
- Audio options
- Braille
- Large print displays
These devices are available:
- October 3 to 17 (Monday to Friday), from 9am and 4:30pm, at the Election Office, 305 West 8th Ave. Phone 604-829-2010 to plan your visit.
- October 3, 7, 10, 13, and 17 (voting days), from 8am and 8pm (no need to phone ahead):
- Dunbar Community Centre, 4747 Dunbar St
- Renfrew Park Community Centre, 2929 East 22nd Ave
- Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre, 181 Roundhouse MewsÂ
- Sunset Community Centre, 6810 Main St
Curbside voting is available at all locations. Call 604 829-2010 when you arrive and someone will come out to you. Almost all locations are accessible to wheelchair users, with some accessibility limitations at the St. Paul’s Anglican Church location.
Vernon
Mail in ballot applications must be received by Oct. 14. Application is available on the website. Curbside voting is available at all locations.
More information on the election in Vernon.
Victoria
A variety of options are available for those who need them:
- A priority line for those who need it at all voting opportunities.
- All voting locations are wheelchair accessible. Â
- Voters who can’t enter a voting place, including parents and caregivers, can vote at the curb or in the parking lot.
- An accessible voting machine will be available at: Â
- Advance voting opportunities: Victoria Conference Centre, Upper Pavilion (Oct. 7) and Crystal Garden (Oct. 13, 14 and 15)
- General Voting Day on Oct. 17 at Crystal Garden
Eligible voters will be able to request a mail ballot by filling out an online form or calling 250.361.0571 from Monday, Sept. 14 to Friday, Oct. 9 at 4 p.m.
NOTE: Mail ballots will be finalized and ready for mailing or pick-up the Week of Sept. 21.Â
