Everything you need to know about voting in the Vancouver byelection
OK, we know it feels like we only just got over the provincial election, but it’s almost time to vote again in Vancouver – this time for a new City Councillor.
A byelection triggered by the departure of Councillor Geoff Meggs is being held, giving you the chance to have your say at City Hall.
General voting day is Saturday, October 14, and the last day for advance voting is Tuesday, October 10. But if you can’t get to a voting place, you can still vote by mail.
Here’s everything you need to know, so you can get out and vote!
Who is running for election?
A total of nine candidates are running in the Vancouver byelection:
- Diego Cardona (Vision Vancouver)
- Hector Bremner (Non-Partisan Association)
- Pete Fry (Green Party)
- Judy Graves (OneCity)
- Mary Jean “Watermelon” Dunsdon (Sensible Vancouver)
- Gary Lee (Independent)
- Damian J. Murphy (Independent)
- Jean Swanson (Independent)
- Joshua Wasilenkoff (Independent)
You can reach all the City Council candidates’ individual websites via the links in their names above, or for profiles of each one, head to vancouver.ca/byelection.
Note:
The vote on Saturday will also include the election of Vancouver School Board trustees. The list of candidates is long, but you can find all their details at vancouver.ca/byelection.
Can I vote in the Vancouver byelection?
You can vote in the Vancouver byelection if you are:
- 18 years of age or older on general voting day
- a Canadian citizen
- a resident of BC for at least six months
- a resident of Vancouver for at least 30 days
- not disqualified from voting by law
Note:
If you have owned a home in Vancouver for at least 30 days, but live elsewhere in BC, you may be able to vote if you are 18 years of age or older, and a Canadian citizen.
If you live on the University Endowment Lands, you can only vote for school trustees.
For more information about who can vote: vancouver.ca/your-government/information-for-voters.
Do I need to be registered to vote?
Yes. If you were registered in the last BC election, you might already be on the Voters List, but if not, you can register at your voting place when you go to vote.
You can check in advance if you’re registered to vote here: vancouver.ca/your-government/register-to-vote-identification.
If you’re not already on the list, you’ll need to register at your voting place, by showing two physical pieces of ID.
The combination of documents must prove both who you are and where you live, and at least one of them must be signed.
Examples of ID you can use are:
- BC CareCard or BC Gold CareCard
- BC driver’s licence
- BC identification card (BCID) from ICBC Driver Licensing
- BC Services Card
- Birth certificate
- Canadian passport
- Certificate of Indian Status
- Citizenship card
- Credit card or debit card
- ICBC owner’s certificate of insurance and vehicle licence
- Income tax assessment
- “Monthly Report” Form (HR0081) from the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (formerly Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation)
- NEXUS card
- Property tax notice
- Social Insurance Number card
- Statutory declaration or sworn affidavit (from a notary public, lawyer, or commissioner for taking affidavits)
- Student card
- Utility bill for electricity, natural gas, water, telephone, or cable services
- Vancouver Public Library card
As well, you’ll need to fill in a voter registration form. You can download that in advance here, fill it in (but do not sign it) and take it with you to your voting place.
What if I have no fixed address?
If you live in Vancouver, but have no fixed address or ordinary postal address, you can register to vote using the address of:
- a general place of residence, e.g. “Under the Granville Street Bridge”
- a shelter, e.g. Covenant House
You will still need to show two pieces of ID from the list above.
Note:
One of those pieces of ID can be a sworn Declaration of Elector Identity and Place of Residence, made in front of a presiding election official at the voting place.
For more information about registering to vote: vancouver.ca/your-government/register-to-vote-identification.
Is there Advance Voting?
Yes – but the last advance voting day is Tuesday, October 10. You can vote between 8 am and 8 pm on at Vancouver City Hall, 453 West 12th Avenue.
Where can I vote on Election Day?
On Saturday, October 14, you can cast your vote at 50 voting places throughout Vancouver from 8 am to 8 pm.
You’ll find most of the voting places in schools, community centres, and local churches.
Here’s a map of everywhere you can vote on Election Day:
Note:
If you live on the University Endowment Lands, your voting place is University Hill Secondary School, 3228 Ross Drive, Vancouver.
To find the nearest voting place to you and more information about where to vote: vancouver.ca/your-government/where-to-vote.
Can I vote by mail?
Yes – if you have a physical disability, illness, or injury that affects your ability to vote in person, or expect to be away from Vancouver on advance voting and election days.
To apply to vote by mail, you’ll need to fill in an application request online, no later than noon on Thursday, October 12.
For more information about voting by mail, and to apply to vote by mail, go here: vancouver.ca/your-government/vote-by-mail.
Where can I find more information?
For a comprehensive guide to all aspects of the byelection, you can visit: vancouver.ca/byelection.
You can also email the Election Office and City Clerk’s Office with any other questions you have at [email protected], or call 3-1-1.
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