2018 PRINCE GEORGE MUNICIPAL AND SCHOOL DISTRICT 57 ELECTION GUIDE
Have you forgotten that voting day for the 2018 municipal elections is getting closer? Don’t stress! Here's everything you need to know about voting.
But first, this is WHY you should be voting.
In the 2014 municipal election, there were 57,363 estimated eligible voters. How many people ended up voting? Only 19,710 which is only 34.36 per cent. If you want your voice heard in your city and for the future, vote.
NOMINATION PERIOD: Sept. 4 and ends at 4 p.m. on Sept. 14. Campaign signage in select parts of the city, was also allowed to start appearing throughout Prince George on Sept. 4.
Once nomination is closed, the deadline to challenge nominations and elector organization endorsements is on Sept. 18.
Sept. 21 is the deadline for challenging nominations, candidate withdrawal or candidate endorsement withdrawal by elector organizations.
CAMPAIGN DATES:
The campaign period will take place from Sept. 22 to Oct. 20
ELECTION DAY AND ADVANCE VOTING OPPORTUNITIES
General voting is on Oct. 20 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
Voting will take place at the following locations:
- Blackburn Elementary School
- DP Todd Secondary School
- Edgewood Elementary School
- École Lac des Bois
- John McInnis Centre
- Kelly Road Secondary School
- Malaspina Elementary School
- Ron Brent Elementary School
- Vanway Elementary School
Advance Voting Opportunities:
- Oct. 10 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Civic Centre (Auditorium)
- Oct. 11 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.at the Pine Centre (Centre Court)
- Oct. 16 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Civic Centre (Auditorium)
- Oct. 17 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at UNBC (7170 Bentley Centre)
Special voting opportunities:
Note: Special voting opportunities are only open to facility residents, patients, staff and visitors on Oct. 12.
Team 1:
- 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Laurier Manor – Aspen One
- 1 to 2 p.m. at Laurier Manor
- 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Alward Place
Team 2:
- 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at Gateway Lodge Assisted Living
- 1 to 2 p.m. at Gateway Lodge Complex Care
- 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Spruceland Manor
Team 3:
- 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at UHNBC (Vendor’s Corner)
- 1 to 2:30 p.m. at Prince George Chateau
MAIL BALLOT VOTING:
Application forms for mail ballot voting will be available from Sept. 17 to Oct. 19.
VOTER ELIGIBILITY
RESIDENT:
- Are a Canadian citizen
- Have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months before registering to vote
- Have lived in the City of Prince George for at least 30 days before registering to vote
- Are not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment or by law from voting in a local election
- Are 18 years or older when registering to vote or will be 18 years of age older on general voting day
- Are a Canadian citizen
- Have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months before registering to vote
- Are not disqualified under the Local Government Act
NON-RESIDENT:
- Are 18 years of age or older when registering to vote or will be 18 years of age or older on the general voting day.
- Are a Canadian citizen.
- Have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months before registering to vote.
- Are not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment or by law from voting in a local election.
- Are the registered owner of property in the City of Prince George for at least 30 days before registering to vote.
Non-resident property electors will be asked to complete a Non-Resident Property Elector Registration Form. The form will also be available at voting locations on advanced, special, and general voting days.
If there is more than one registered owner of the real property, only one owner is eligible to vote. The property owners must complete a Non-Resident Property Elector Consent Form appointing one person as the non-resident property elector. The appointed non-resident property elector must present the completed form to the Presiding Election Official at the voting location.
You MUST bring two pieces of acceptable identification to the voting station with one providing proof of residency. At least one of the two documents must contain a signature. The following are acceptable forms of ID:
- BC Driver's Licence
- BC Identification Card
- BC Care Card
- BC Gold Care Card
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- Canadian Passport
- Property Tax Notice
- Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
- Government Issued Military Identification Card
- Firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence
- Certificate of Indian Status
- Current Utility Bill – Containing Elector's Name and Address
- Owners Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence (issued by ICBC)
- Other documents sufficient to satisfy the Chief Election Office
NOTE: Combination BC Services Card and BC Driver's Licence only count as one (1) form of acceptable identification. The second piece of identification will be required.
If you do not have a document that proves a place of residence may also provide two documents from the list above that provide proof of identity and make a solemn declaration as to the place of residence to the Election Official at the voting station.
SCHOOL DISTRICT 57 VOTING
When it comes to voting for the district 57 school board, there is some difference in dates to be aware of. Here are the details you need to know.
VOTING DATES:
- Required advance voting opportunity - Oct. 10
- Second advance voting opportunity - Oct. 17
- Special voting opportunity - to be determined
VOTING ELIGIBILITY
- 18 years of age or older on the general voting day for the election;
- A Canadian Citizen;
- A resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration:
- General Vote October 20, 2018 (April 20, 2018)
- Advance Vote October 10, 2018 (April 10, 2018)
- Advance Vote October 17, 2018 (April 17, 2018);
- A resident of the voting jurisdiction for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration:
- General Vote October 20, 2018 (September 20, 2018)
- Advance Vote October 10, 2018 (September 10, 2018)
- Advance Vote October 17, 2018 (September 17, 2018); and
- Not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law from voting.
Documentation requirements are the same as above.
Now you are set and there is no reason why you shouldn't. Happy voting!
