Local Elections

Voter eligibility is governed by the Local Government Act.

There are two types of voters.  To vote for Mayor and Councillor 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 (April 14, 2022)
• 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 (April 14, 2022)
• Property owner in the Village of Sayward for at least 30 days immediately before the day they register to vote (September 14, 2022)
• 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. A Consent Form must be brought to the voting location, along with proof of ownership. 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.

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

Who can vote by mail?
On Saturday, October 15, 2022, from 8 am to 8 pm, the Village of Sayward will hold an election for 4 Councillors. The Mayor and School Trustee were elected by acclamation. Qualified Electors may vote by mail if they so choose.

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.

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

The Village of Sayward will send out mail ballot packages as soon as possible. To be included in the vote count, your mail ballot must be received at the Village of Sayward Office by the close of business at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 14, 2022. Alternately, you may arrange for the ballot to be delivered to the Chief Election Officer at the Village of Sayward voting place, 652 H’Kusam Way, between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm Saturday, October 15, 2022. Please note your mail ballot must be rejected if the elector requirements are not met or if it is received after 8:00 pm on October 15, 2022.

Candidates for the position of Mayor or Councillor must complete a nomination package.  All nomination packages must be filed in-person with the Chief Election Officer or designate during the nomination period which begins at 9:00 am on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 and ends at 4:00 pm on Friday, September 9, 2022.

Candidate Nomination Packages are available here

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/

To be eligible to be a candidate for Mayor or Councillor 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.

Overview of BC General Local Elections 2022

Participants in B.C. General Local Elections 2022

Candidate Nominations in B.C. General Local Elections 2022

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)