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Voting in Vancouver's civic election

Voting in this year’s civic election has expanded with more hours, more days and more locations, and the city hopes the extra opportunities will encourage Vancouverites to cast their ballots.
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City hall hopes to increase the 35 per cent voter turnout in the 2011 civic election to a 40 per cent turnout Nov. 15. photo Dan Toulgoet

Voting in this year’s civic election has expanded with more hours, more days and more locations, and the city hopes the extra opportunities will encourage Vancouverites to cast their ballots.

“We’re trying to eliminate as many barriers to people voting as possible,” said the city’s chief election officer Janice MacKenzie.

This year
Voters will be electing the mayor, 10 city council members, seven park board commissioners and nine school trustees for a four-year term. Voters will also be deciding whether to authorize the city to borrow money for major projects including affordable housing, childcare and transportation.

Double checking registration
Individuals who have registered for the voters list in the past are likely registered for this year’s election. A voter information card will arrive by mail. Those unsure if they are registered can visit elections.bc.ca.

Individuals not on the voters list may register on the day they vote with two pieces of identification that indicate name, signature and residential address.

Those with only one may still vote if they swear a declaration of residence.

When and where to vote
Advance voting will take place for eight days from Nov. 4 to 12 (excluding Nov. 11 for Remembrance Day), 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. There are eight advance voting locations at community centres and city hall. Additional support for individuals with disabilities will be available during advance voting, including a sip and puff device, an audio system that will read the ballot and a magnification option.

Election day is Saturday, Nov. 15 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. For the first time, residents may vote at any of the nearly 120, high-traffic locations across Vancouver. New locations include Oakridge Mall, International Village Mall and the Vancouver Art Gallery.

“People lead busy lives and having to vote at one place near their place of residence can pose difficulties,” said MacKenzie.

Multilingual staff and audio devices will be onsite.

If residents are unable to attend voting opportunities due to absence or ability, they can register online or call 3-1-1 to receive a ballot to vote by mail.

Who can vote
Vancouver residents (for at least 30 days before registration) and Vancouver property owners who live elsewhere in B.C. (for at least six months before registration) are eligible to vote. They are required to be age 18 or older on voting day and a Canadian citizen.

Residents with no fixed address but a general place of residence such as a street corner or a commonly frequented shelter are allowed to register as long as they have their two pieces of identification. The option to swear a declaration if they only have one piece is also open.

Young voters are a special target of reach this year. Strategies include social media campaigns, city staff visiting UBC and welcoming election workers at age 15 instead of 18.

“We’re hoping to increase awareness,” said MacKenzie. “Get them at an early age to instill a voting mindset.”

The city’s Pop-Up City Hall offering services and information via truck also helped register voters and raise awareness.

The goal this year is a 40 per cent turnout. The last civic election in 2011 saw 35 per cent, up from 30.76 in 2008. The aim for 2025 is 65 per cent.

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