British Columbia's elections agency says about 597,300 ballot packages have been returned so far in the province's referendum on proportional representation.
Ballots start going out to households this week asking whether B.C. should switch from the current first-past-the-post election system to a system of proportional representation. The second question asks voters to rank three systems of proportional representation. Photo Dan Toulgoet
Elections BC says the ballots returned so far represent 18 per cent of registered voters.
The numbers do not include ballots that have been received by Canada Post but have yet to be transferred to Elections BC.
The figures released Friday include packages that are on hand at Elections BC facilities that are waiting to be processed, as well as those undergoing initial processing before screening.
Earlier this week Elections BC said 6.5 per cent of ballots had been returned.
The mail-in ballots must be received by Nov. 30.
Voters are being asked whether they want to maintain the existing first-past-the-post system or switch to proportional representation for provincial elections.
