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Local elections fast approaching

Candidate nominations open Tuesday, September 4
13262174_web1_180807-ACC-M-Voting-sign

The 2018 general local elections are fast approaching with nominations opening next week.

On October 20, eligible voters will cast their ballot to elect one mayor and six councillors each in Fernie, Sparwood and Elkford.

Nominations don’t open until Tuesday, however, all three incumbent mayors have already announced their election plans.

Fernie and Elkford mayors, Mary Giuliano and Dean McKerracher, will run again, while Sparwood mayor Cal McDougall will retire from public office.

Nominations open at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, September 4 and close at 4 p.m. on Friday, September 14.

To be eligible to run as a candidate in the election, you must be 18 years or older on general voting day; be a Canadian citizen; have lived in B.C. for at least six months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed; and not be disqualified by law from being nominated, elected or holding office.

Candidates can withdraw their nomination up until September 21 when the Chief Election Officer will announce the candidates for each municipality.

They can start campaigning on September 22 and up until the election on October 20.

There will be advance voting opportunities from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. from October 10-17.

On October 20, the polls will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

To be eligible to vote, you must be a Canadian citizen; have lived in B.C. for at least six months; have lived in Fernie, Sparwood or Elkford for at least 30 days; be 18 years or older on general voting day; and not disqualified by law from voting.

If you own property in these municipalities but live somewhere else in B.C., you can also vote in the elections as a “non-resident property elector”.

For more information and to register to vote, visit elections.bc.ca.

Key dates:

September 4 – nominations open

September 14 – nominations close

September 21 – deadline for candidate nomination

withdrawal and candidates declared

September 22 – start of campaign period

October 10 – advance voting opens

October 17 – advance voting closes

October 20 – general voting day