Signage and stickers for the Kids Vote for the 2026 election

Kids have spoken: kindness, art and pools top the 2026 Kids Vote ballot

October 17 2026 –

Vancouver’s smallest voters showed up in a big way this election. Preliminary results show a record 1,047 children cast a ballot in Kids Vote, up 121 per cent from 473 in 2022. Kids want leaders who are kind, more time for art, reading, music and movies, and swimming pools are their favourite place for fun in Vancouver. 

Launched in 2018, Kids Vote was run in partnership with Vancouver Public Library (VPL) for the first time this election, expanding access to the program. Children in preschool to Grade 3 could vote at 20 VPL branches across the full voting period, from October 3 to 17. In 2022, Kids Vote was offered on two advance voting days. 

What Vancouver kids voted for 

Where do you like to go for fun in Vancouver? 

  • Swimming pools: 36 per cent (370) 
  • Beaches, parks or playgrounds: 32 per cent (327) 
  • Libraries: 27 per cent (277) 
  • Community centres: 6 per cent (58) 

Which quality would you want a leader to have? 

  • Kindness: 38 per cent (397) 
  • Fun: 31 per cent (321) 
  • Honesty: 18 per cent (191) 
  • Good ideas: 12 per cent (128) 

What do you wish you could spend more time doing? 

  • Art, reading, music and movies: 35 per cent (358) 
  • Playing with friends: 28 per cent (288) 
  • Sports, swimming and exploring outside: 23 per cent (239) 
  • STEM (science, technology, engineering and math): 14 per cent (149) 

What is most important to you in Vancouver? 

  • Fire fighters, ambulance and police: 40 per cent (409) 
  • Gardens, parks and nature: 28 per cent (290) 
  • Libraries, theatres and fun events: 16 per cent (169) 
  • Parks, pools and community centres: 16 per cent (167) 

223 ballots were spoiled, a sign that some young voters had more to say than the ballot allowed. 

Full preliminary results are available at vancouver.ca/kidsvote. 

A lesson in democracy 

From the private voting screens to the ballot box, kids embraced every step of the voting process. 

“Kids lined up for their turn at the voting booth, asking what they were voting on and who would count the ballots,” said Christie Menzo, Associate Director, Neigbourhood and Youth Services with VPL. “They loved their stickers, but what stood out most was how seriously they took the vote. They took part with an immense sense of civic responsibility.” 

The ballot and voting materials were designed to mirror the real voting experience, and were reviewed for accessibility by Canucks Autism Network. 

Final Kids Vote results will be posted vancouver.ca/vote once all branch ballots are counted. 

Student Vote 

Students in Grades 4 to 12 at more than 90 Vancouver schools took part in Student Vote, run by CIVIX . CIVIX will share preliminary results on election night after voting closes at studentvote.ca .

For more information about the 2026 Vancouver Election, visit vancouver.ca/vote or call 3-1-1.