Though an atmospheric river has soaked parts of B.C. Saturday, Oct. 19, the rain has for the most part held off in Vernon on Election Day 2024. 

That meant that any concerns over polling stations losing power haven't come to pass, and as a bonus, people were able to keep their heads dry as they went to one of eight polling stations in town to exercise their democratic right and have their say in what is projected to be a tightly contested election. 

At one of those polling stations, Clarence Fulton Secondary, a steady flow of people could be seen filtering in and out of the building early Saturday afternoon. 

Some of them stopped for a moment to tell The Morning Star what they think about this election and why they came to cast their vote. 

A young man named Reagan who was voting for the first time admitted he was nervous when he got to the voting booth, but said he was happy to get his first voting experience under his belt.

"I just wanted to get the experience and help bring change," he said. 

Even though it was a brand-new experience, Reagan had no complaints about how the voting station was set up.

"It's a very simple process," he said.

Dean Saling and his partner had their kids with them as they went to the polling station, wanting the little ones to see them voting because one day, it will be their turn to make their choice at the polls.  

"We vote because that's our obligation I would say, our civic duty," Saling said. "I disagree with some of the things that are happening with our current provincial government, but other than that, I'd say life is pretty good in B.C."

Several people said they were voting for change, and many added that people forfeit their right to complain if they abstain. 

"You can't complain about who's in government if you don't put your say in," one man said. 

"I have never missed voting in any election since I was 18," a young woman said while skipping away from the voting station, adding it's important to exercise one's democratic right. 

And many have done just that. While the final voter turnout won't be tallied until after the polls close at 8 p.m. tonight, a record 1,001,331 people cast their ballots in the six days of advance voting that ended on Oct. 16. 

There's still time to vote before the polls close. For information on where and how to vote in Vernon-Lumby, see The Morning Star's .