BC election day: Voters choose between NDP and surging Conservatives
Polling shows the race tightening as David Eby's government faces a strong challenge from Lorne Doerkson's Conservatives. Ballots will be counted by hand.
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British Columbia voters are casting ballots today to elect a new government, with the race between Premier David Eby's NDP and Opposition Leader Lorne Doerkson's BC Conservatives tightening in the campaign's final days.
A poll conducted over the past three days shows the Conservatives at 44% and the NDP at 40%, with the BC Greens at 10%. The 4-point Conservative lead matches what the BC Liberals held in 2005 and 2009, both years they won majority mandates.
Eby's approval rating stands at 44% among likely voters, down 5 points since mid-October. Doerkson's approval has risen to 48%, up 3 points. On individual policy areas, Doerkson leads on managing provincial finances (34% to 25%) and government accountability (32% to 26%), while Eby leads on health care (32% to 27%) and education (31% to 27%). The two are tied on who would be the best premier, both at 34%.
Perceptions of Eby have shifted noticeably. The share saying he is "honest and trustworthy" has fallen to 36% from 45% in October 2024, while those who say he "inspires confidence" dropped to 34% from 45% two years ago. Doerkson, who took over as leader just over a month ago, is seen as "in touch with problems British Columbians face" by 43%, up 3 points, and 40% call him "honest and trustworthy," up 6 points.
Most ballots cast on election day will be counted by hand, a logistics measure tied to the snap election call. Advance voting ran from October 16 through October 21.
What is the final voter turnout across the province?
Will the Conservatives win the majority Doerkson is targeting?
We'll update this story as answers emerge.
The facts
When did advance voting take place?
Advance voting in British Columbia ran from Friday, October 16, 2026 through Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
What are the latest polling numbers?
A poll conducted over the three days before election day showed the BC Conservatives at 44%, the NDP at 40%, and the BC Greens at 10%.
How will ballots be counted?
Most ballots cast on election day will be counted by hand, a logistics measure tied to the snap election call.
Who leads on which policy areas?
Lorne Doerkson leads on managing provincial finances (34% to 25%) and government accountability (32% to 26%), while David Eby leads on health care (32% to 27%) and education (31% to 27%).
