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The quick read: A week after Kelowna votes for mayor and council, British Columbia votes for a new government. Premier David Eby dissolved the legislature on September 22 and called a snap election two years early, with final voting day set for Saturday, October 24. Advance voting runs October 16 to 21, all 93 legislature seats are on the ballot, and 47 are needed for a majority. Eby cited the U.S. trade conflict as his justification; on October 24, voters decide whether that reason holds water.

Two Saturdays, two elections.

Kelowna votes for a new mayor and council today, October 17 — and a week later, the whole province votes for a new government.

Premier David Eby dissolved the legislature on September 22 and called a snap election two years early.

Final voting day is Saturday, October 24, with polls open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Pacific Time, according to Elections BC.

Advance voting runs Friday, October 16 through Wednesday, October 21, also 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and you can vote at any advance voting place.

All 93 seats in the legislature are up, and a party needs 47 for a majority.

The leaders' debates are behind us: the Greater Vancouver Board of Trade hosted one on October 13, and the TV debate aired October 14 on CBC, CTV, Citytv, Global BC and CHEK.

The final count, including absentee and mail-in ballots, happens November 6 to 10, with final results returned November 18.

Eby's stated justification for the early call: the U.S. trade conflict, which he said required voters to endorse the province's policy direction.

His critics call it what it looks like — a two-years-early power grab dressed up as a mandate fight.

The opposition, meanwhile, is in rough shape.

Conservative leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay resigned on September 20 after a wave of 14 MLAs departed the caucus over her leadership, as reported by Buildups.

Lorne Doerkson took over as interim leader, and the party is contesting under the slogan "Strong Leadership for Serious Times."

The NDP's slogan is "Build BC Strong"; the Greens offer "Believe in Better"; CentreBC and OneBC round out the crowded field.

Municipal leaders aren't happy about the overlap either.

The Union of B.C. Municipalities pushed an emergency motion asking the province to respect the municipal election timeline, and Port Moody councillors Haven Lurbiecki and Callan Morrison publicly called out the timing.

For Kelowna voters, the stakes double up: choose who runs city hall today, then choose who runs the province next Saturday.

Polling from Ipsos says the top issues are cost of living, health care, and housing — the ones hitting your wallet, not the ones filling a press release.

And for our money, the real question on October 24 is simple: does two years of early government make sense for voters, or just for the people asking?

Show up both Saturdays and answer it yourself.