FAQs
- Who makes the rules concerning local government elections?
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There are very strict rules regarding the conduct of local government elections to ensure they are fair, open and honest. These procedures are established by the Province of B.C. in Part 3 of the Local Government Act and in Section 81 of the Community Charter. In accordance with legislation, local governments are permitted to adopt bylaws to establish election procedures in their jurisdiction.
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- When can I vote?
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The next local government election will be held in the fall of 2014.
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- Am I eligible to vote?
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There are two categories of electors for local government elections in the Province of British Columbia: Resident Electors and Non-Resident Property Electors.
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You are eligible to register as a Resident Elector in the City of Burnaby if you meet the following criteria:
- » You must be 18 years or older on general voting day;
- » You must be a Canadian citizen;
- » You must have been a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months prior to Election Day;
- » You must have been a resident of the City of Burnaby for at least 30 days prior to Election Day;
- » You must not be disqualified from voting by any statute or law.
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You are eligible to register as a Non-Resident Property Elector in the City of Burnaby if you meet the following criteria:
- » You must be 18 years or older on general voting day;
- » You must be a Canadian citizen;
- » You must have been a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months prior to Election Day;
- » You must be a registered owner of real property in the City of Burnaby for at least 30 days prior to Election Day;
- » You must not be eligible to register as a resident elector in the City of Burnaby;
- » You must only register in relation to one piece of property; and
- If more than one person owns the property, only one owner may register and that person must have the written consent of a majority of the other owners.
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NOTE: In accordance with the Local Government Act, the only persons who are registered owners, either as joint tenants or tenants-in-common, are individuals who are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust. A person may only register as a Non-Resident Property Elector in relation to one parcel of property in the City of Burnaby and must provide proof of ownership of the property on which registration is based.
- All Non-Resident Property Electors must register before voting, see information below on registering.
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- Am I registed to vote?
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Burnaby uses the most recent provincial list of electors as our list of registered resident electors which means if you are registered to vote in the next provincial election your name will automatically appear on the City of Burnaby’s list. Anyone who is eligible to vote and is not registered can contact Elections BC to be added to the list by visiting www.elections.bc.ca or calling 1-800-661-8683 (toll free). You must meet the criteria noted above to be eligible to register.
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- How do I register to vote as a Resident Elector on Election Day or Advance Voting?
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Any person who is eligible to vote and is not registered can register on Election Day or at any one of the Advance Voting Opportunities. To register you will need at least two (2) documents that provide evidence of your identity (i.e. Driver’s Licence, BC ID, MSP card, SIN card, credit card) and your current place of residence (i.e. Driver’s Licence, BC ID, telephone bill, hydro bill, personalized cheque); one of these documents must contain your signature. If you do not comply with this requirement you will not be registered to vote.
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- How do I register to vote as a Non-Resident Property Elector on Election Day or Advance Voting?
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Persons meeting the criteria to vote as a Non-Resident Property Elector may register to vote on Election Day or may take advantage of the Advance Voting Opportunities. In addition to the information previously noted for resident registration, a Non-Resident Property Elector must provide two (2) pieces of identification, at least one (1) of which must have their signature and proof of ownership of the property (such as current tax or utility notice). Where a property has more than one owner the applicant will be required to provide a consent form signed by a majority of the other owners of the property.
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- What if I changed my name or address?
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Your can contact Elections BC to make changes to your name and address by visiting www.elections.bc.ca or calling 1-800-661-8683 (toll free).
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- How can I request privacy protection?
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If requested by an elector, the list of registered electors may be amended in order to protect the privacy or security of the elector. This means the address or other information of the elector will be omitted or obscured on the list that is made available for public inspection or provided to candidates. This request must be made in writing to the Chief Election Officer, City of Burnaby, Suite L53 - 4946 Canada Way, Burnaby, BC V5G 4H7 and must be received by 4:00 PM on the 36th day before general voting day.
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- How do I remove the name of a deceased person from the list?
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To remove the name of a deceased person from the Provincial List please contact Elections BC by visiting www.elections.bc.ca or calling 1-800-661-8683 (toll free).
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- What provisions are made to assist people using other languages?
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If you have difficulty reading or writing English, you may bring a translator to assist you in the voting process. The translator must complete a solemn declaration of assistance in order to provide translation assistance.
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- What provisions are made to assist persons with disabilities?
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If you have difficulty entering the voting division, you may ask to receive and mark your ballot at a place located outside the voting division (curbside voting). If you require assistance with voting, you may ask the Presiding Election Official (PEO) in charge of the voting division to assist you OR you may bring someone with you to the voting division to help you vote. This person must make a solemn declaration to preserve the secrecy of your ballot, to mark the ballot according to your wishes and to not attempt to influence your vote.
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- What are the criteria to run for local government office?
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Local Government Elections in the City of Burnaby are held to elect one (1) Mayor; eight (8) Councillors and seven (7) School Trustees.
To be eligible as a candidate for local government office, at the time of nomination a person must meet the following criteria:
- » 18 years or older on general voting day;
- » Canadian Citizen;
- » Resident of B.C. for at least 6 months prior to the date of nomination;
- » Not disqualified by any statute or law from being nominated, elected or holding office.
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- When can candidates be nominated for the election?
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Nominations can only be accepted during the nomination period set out in the Local Government Act. The nomination period begins 46 days before general voting day and ends 36 days before general voting day.
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- How do I nominate a candidate for the election?
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Nomination for office must be made by at least two (2) eligible nominators. In order to be eligible as a nominator, a person must be an elector of the City of Burnaby.
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