u/Belle_Pepperoni

Langford has historically been well below the BC average for municipal elections.

The following data is sourced from Civic Info BC.

Langford voter turnout in past elections:

2011 – 13.2% (2826 votes), 17.4% lower than the average BC municipal turnout of 30.6%.

2014 – 21.1% (4532 votes), 13.5% lower than the average BC municipal turnout of 34.5%.

2018 – 18.5% (4812), 17.0% lower than the average BC municipal turnout of 35.5%.

In 2022, while the average BC municipal turnout decreased to 29.2%, Langford actually saw an increase in voters with a turnout of 24%. If we factor in the population increase, it’s even more impressive. 8437 people turned up to vote in 2022, compared to 4812 in 2018.

One of the contributing factors to the low voter turnout may be the lack of polling stations. An article from October 14, 2022 points out that Central Saanich had the same number of polling stations as Langford, despite being a third of the size.

“Reeve said the number of polling stations in Langford is not in line with its population. “You have almost 50,000 and you have three voting stations, that seems like a very low bar.””

In 2022, residents were given two advance voting opportunities at City Hall. There was also special voting opportunities at the resident care facilities Cherish, Alexander Mackie and the Priory.

On election day, there were three available voting stations. The November 7, 2022 Staff Report to Special Inaugural Council says that they needed to bring in extra voting machines to help alleviate the wait times.

So, with all of that in mind, I’m happy to see that work is being done to improve the voting experience and hopefully encourage greater turnout for the 2026 election.

Of note -

For the advance voting days, the polling place has been moved to Eagle Ridge Arena, which is much better suited to accommodate high voter turnout. (I remember a very sweaty long wait in the hallway outside of Council Chambers.)

Special Voting Opportunities will still be available for residents of Cherish, Alexander Mackie, and the Priory.

An additional voting location has been added, for a total of 4 voting places (Happy Valley Elementary School, Millstream Elementary School, PEXSISEN Elementary School and Ruth King Elementary School.)

And Langford is introducing mail in ballots for the 2026 election! The time frame for this is fairly narrow, but I’m happy to see it as a potential option for residents.

Information about these changes can be found in the agendas/minutes for the February 17, 2026 and March 30, 2026 council meetings.

And for good measure, the Langford Elections Bylaw.

Thought about ordering in tonight and was scrolling through Skip the Dishes.. I was surprised to see a bunch of restaurants I'd never heard of before.

I realized that many of them are at the same address and none of them are showing up on Google Maps.

834 McCallum Road

Bring Wings

Brownies by the Pound

Street Tenders

Deep Dish Cookie Co.

1845 Island Highway

The Meltdown

The Burger Den

What gives?! These can't be real places, are they?

I really want brownies now.

This can’t be legit!?