Local Elections

Information for Voters

• Who Can Vote?

  Voter eligibility is governed by the Local Government Act.

  There are two types of voters.  To vote you must either be a Resident Elector or a Non-Resident Property Elector.

  Resident Electors are:

  • 18 years of age or older on general voting day
  • A Canadian citizen
  • A Resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months before the day they register to vote
  • A Resident of the Village of Sayward
  • Not disqualified from voting by any statute or law.

  Non-Resident Property Electors are:

  • Not eligible to register as a resident elector in the Village of Sayward
  • 18 years of age or older on general voting day
  • A Canadian citizen
  • A Resident of British Columbia for at least six months before the day they register to vote
  • Property owner in the Village of Sayward for at least 30 days immediately before the day they register to vote
  • Not disqualified from voting by any statute or law
  • Registered in relation to one parcel of property, even if the individual owns more than one parcel
  • If more than one person owns the property, only one owner may vote. 
  •  Proof of ownership includes but is not limited to:
    • Certificate of title
    • Property tax notice
    • Property assessment notice

  Property owned in whole or in part by a corporation does not qualify under the non-resident property elector provisions.

  The Village of Sayward uses same day voter registration which means voters will need to register at the time of voting.

  To register at time of voting a person must provide at least 2 pieces of identification, with at least 1 which includes the person’s signature.  ID should prove residency within the Village of Sayward.

• Identity Documents

  The following are valid identity documents for proving voter identity. At least one document presented to prove identity must include the applicant's signature.  Please be prepared to present two of the identity documents noted below:

  • BC Driver's Licence
  • BC Identification Card
  • Photo BC Services Card
  • Certificate of Indian Status as issued by the Government of Canada
  • Non-photo BC Services Card
  • Student card issued by a post-secondary institution
  • Owner's Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence issued by ICBC
  • BC CareCard or BC Gold CareCard
  • Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security Request for Continued Assistance Form  SDES8
  • Social Insurance Card
  • Canadian Citizenship Card
  • Village of Sayward Property Tax Notice
  • Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits
  • BC Government cheque
  • Income Tax Assessment Notice
  • Canadian Forces Identification
  • Old Age Security Identification Card
  • Canadian Passport
  • Birth Certificate
  • Credit card or debit card or statement
  • Utility bill
• Voting by Mail

   

  Who can vote by mail?
  The Village of Sayward allows voting by mail ballot as an option for any qualified elector who prefers to use this form of voting instead of voting in-person at at polling station.

  How do you register to vote by mail?
  To ensure that you are receiving the correct registration package, you must indicate on your “Application to Vote By Mail” form whether you are registering as a Resident Elector or a Non-Resident Property Elector.

  Copies of documents required to establish your identity and place of residence in accordance with the Local Government Act are required to accompany the application.

  Requesting a mail ballot package
  To request a ballot and registration package please fill out the “Application to Vote By Mail” form below:

  File

  Mail Ballot Application.pdf

  File

  Resident Elector Application and Instructions.pdf

  File

  Non-Resident Property Elector Application and Instructions.pdf

   

  Voters who believe that their ballot package may not be received in sufficient time by regular mail may arrange to have the mail ballot picked-up from the Village of Sayward Office or Strathcona Regional District Office.  If a third party is picking up the mail ballot on an elector's behalf, the elector must provide written confirmation for that third party to act on their behalf.

  Mail ballot packages will be sent out as soon as possible after the declaration of election.

  Mail ballots including either a Resident Elector Registration or Non-Resident Elector Registration form and the required copies of identification and/or proof of property title must be received by the Chief election Officer prior to the close of voting on general voting day.  Mail ballots may be delivered personally or by regular mail or courier.  Mail ballots submitted by fax or email cannot be accepted.  It is the responsibility of the voter to ensure that their mail ballot is received prior to the deadline.  Mail ballots received after the deadline will not be counted and will remain in the sealed envelope.

Information for Candidates

• Nomination process

  Candidates for the position of Councillor must complete a nomination package.  All nomination packages must be filed in-person with the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Chief Election Officer during the nomination period which begins at 9:00 am on Tuesday, June 4, 2024 and ends at 4:00 pm on Friday,  June 14, 2024.

  Candidate Nomination Packages will be available on May 21, 2024

  The minimum number of qualified nominators is two (2). All nomination papers will be available for public inspection.

  Link to Elections BC Candidate Information page and key dates https://elections.bc.ca/local-elections/2022-general-local-elections/

• Eligibility

  To be eligible to be a candidate you must meet all of the following criteria:

  • 18 years of age or older on general voting day
  • a Canadian citizen
  • a Resident of British Columbia for at least six months
  • Not disqualified from voting in an election in BC or from being nominated, elected to or holding office, or otherwise disqualified by law.

  There is no requirement for a candidate to be a resident or property owner in the municipality.

• Key Dates for Candidates

  Nomination Period                        Tuesday, June 4, 2024 - Friday, June 14, 2024

  Pre-Campaign Period                   Monday, April 22, 2024 - Friday, June 21, 2024

  Declaration of Candidates          Friday, June 14, 2024

  Campaign Period                         Saturday, June 22, 2024 - July 20, 2024

  Declaration of Election by Voting or Acclamation     Monday, June 24, 2024

  Advance Voting Opportunity       Wednesday, July 10, 2024

  General Voting Day                       Saturday, July 20, 2024

  Campaign Financing Disclosure Statement Filing deadline    October 18, 2024

  Campaign Financing Disclosure Statement late filing deadline with $500 late filing fee    November 18, 2024

• Informational Videos

  Overview of BC General Local Elections 2022

  Participants in B.C. General Local Elections 2022

  Candidate Nominations in B.C. General Local Elections 2022

Other Election Info

• Legal Perspective on the Office of the Mayor

  Residents may find this legal perspective of the powers of the Mayor and Council worthy of a good read. It clarifies some interesting misconceptions on the powers of the Mayor’s office while also reinforcing the important role the Mayor plays in ensuring Council remains respectful and productive. 

  Legal Perspective on the Office of the Mayor

  (From the BC Mayors Caucus 2013 – Written by Bill Buholzer – Young, Anderson Barristers and Solicitors)

• Candidate and Voter Guides

  File

  Thinking About Running for Local Office Brochure.pdf

  File

  Candidate's Guide.pdf

  File

  Voter's Guide to Local Elections - English.pdf

  File

  Scrutineers Guide to General Local Elections.pdf

  File

  General Local Elections 101.pdf

  File

  Voters Guide for Electors Living on Reserve.pdf