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Advance voting begins in high-stakes Nanaimo byelection

Three voters were lined up at Beban Park Social Centre in Nanaimo this morning to cast their vote in the advance polls for the high-stakes Nanaimo byelection this morning. Elections B.C.
Ballot box voting election photo generic
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Three voters were lined up at Beban Park Social Centre in Nanaimo this morning to cast their vote in the advance polls for the high-stakes Nanaimo byelection this morning.

Elections B.C. deputy district electoral officer Julie said workers are at their posts and the voting has begun.

Advance voting starts today and continues through Sunday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

> More coverage of the byelection at timescolonist.com/bcelection

The future of the B.C. government hangs in the balance as political pundits and polls call this a competitive race.

The provincial seat in Nanaimo was vacated by longtime NDP MLA Leonard Krog, who stepped down after he was elected mayor of Nanaimo in October.

Krog, a lawyer, did not receive a cabinet seat after the 2017 election.

Running to replace Krog are Liberal Tony Harris, NDP Sheila Malcolmson, Conservative Justin Greenwood, Robin Richardson for the Vancouver Island Party and Bill Walker for the B.C. Libertarian Party.

In the B.C. legislature, the NDP and Greens have a combined 44 seats and the Liberals have 42.

A Liberal win in the byelection would put that party on equal footing in the legislature, in a 43-43 deadlock, with Speaker and Independent MLA Darryl Plecas called upon to cast tie-breaking votes — a situation that could lead to a general election.

There’s just eight days of voting until the byelection on Jan. 30.

Advance votes in the Nanaimo byelection can be cast until Jan. 23 at Beban Park Social Centre, 2300 Bowen Rd.

Departure Bay Baptist Church, 3510 Departure Bay Rd, is open for advance voting today through Jan. 25.

Alliance Church, 1609 Meredith Rd, is open for voting Jan. 24 and 25.

On the weekend, votes can be cast at: Fairview Community School, 205 Howard Ave, and Uplands Park Elementary School, 3821 Stronach Dr., in Nanaimo.

General voting day is Jan. 30, 2019.

Nanaimo’s Elections B.C. office, Suite 201 at 65 Front Street is also open for advance voting from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. now until Jan. 27.

Advance votes can also be cast from 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Jan. 28 and Jan. 29. This location is also opening for voting on general election day, Jan. 30, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

More information can be found at elections.bc.ca or call 1-800-661-8683.

All voters must show ID to receive a ballot. Acceptable ID is listed at elections.bc.ca/id.

ceharnett@timescolonist.com