BURNABY, B.C. -- B.C. Liberal Leader Christy Clark has shrugged off the usual election day photo opportunity and cast her ballot today, the first day of advanced polling.

In order to raise awareness about advance polls, Clark visited a polling centre in her home town of Burnaby, to vote in her riding of Vancouver-Point Grey.

She also urged other voters to get out in advance polls and on election day, May 14.

Clark says it's a crucial election that will decide the direction of the province for a generation to come.

Voter turnout in B.C. dropped to an abysmal 51 per cent of eligible voters in the last provincial election in 2009.

Advanced polls will be open until Saturday, May 11, and voters with appropriate ID can cast ballots at any polling station in the province for their home riding.

Related: Elections BC voting information