If you aren’t sure whether or not you are able to vote in the November 19 municipal election, here is a quick guide to who can vote and where.
You may vote in a BC local election as a resident elector if you:
• are a Canadian citizen;
• are 18 years of age or more on general voting day;
• have lived in BC for at least six months before you register to vote; and
• have lived in the municipality, regional district or school district where you wish to vote for 30 days or more before you register to vote.
Frequently asked questions
I own property somewhere else in BC - can I vote there also?
As a non-resident property owner - you own property in one place but live in another - you have the right to vote both where you live and where you own property.
You may vote in a BC local election as a non-resident property elector if you:
• are not a resident elector in that community;
• are a Canadian citizen;
• are 18 years of age or more on general voting day;
• have lived in BC for at least six months before you register to vote; and
• have owned the property for at least 30 days before you register to vote.
What if I own property with someone else?
Only one non-resident property owner may vote for each property.
In other words, if two or more non-resident property owners own a single piece of property, the majority of owners must designate, in writing, one owner as the non-resident property elector for that property.
What if I own property with someone else, and that person is living in the house?
The person living in the house may vote as a resident elector because he or she lives there. As a non-resident property owner, you are also eligible to vote for that property, but you will still need the written consent of the other owner.
What if I own more than one piece of property?
You may only vote as a non-resident property elector for one piece of property in any municipality, regional district or school district.
In other words, if you own two pieces of property in one municipality, you may vote only once. If, however, you own one piece of property in one municipality and a second piece of property in another, you may vote in both jurisdictions.
Is there anyone who cannot vote in a local election?
You may not vote in a BC local government election (as either a resident elector or a non-resident property elector) if you:
have been convicted of an indictable offence and are in custody; or
have been found guilty of an election offence.
Visit municipal elections.com for more information.