How to Vote

The City of Victoria municipal election takes place on Saturday, November 19th, 2011 from 8am-8pm.

Bring two pieces of ID and contact Ben’s campaign if you need any help getting to the polls: Ben@Isitt.ca / 250.882.9302.

 

Voting Places

On voting day, electors may vote at any one of the following locations:


View City of Victoria Voting Places 2011 in a larger map

Burnside Campus, 3130 Jutland Road
Central Baptist Church, 833 Pandora Avenue
Cook Street Activity Centre, 380 Cook Street
George Jay Elementary School, 1118 Princess Street
James Bay Community School, 140 Oswego Street
James Bay New Horizons Centre, 234 Menzies Street
Margaret Jenkins Elementary School, 1824 Fairfield Road
Oaklands Elementary School, 2827 Belmont Avenue
Quadra Elementary School, 3031 Quadra Street
Sir James Douglas Elementary School, 401 Moss Street
Sundance Elementary School, 1625 Bank Street
Vic West Community Centre, 521 Craigflower Road

 

Elector Identity Documents

The following are valid identity documents for proving elector identity:

    • a British Columbia Driver’s Licence
    • a British Columbia Identification Card issued by the Motor Vehicle Branch
    • an Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence issued by the Insurance Corporation of BC
    • a British Columbia CareCard or British Columbia Gold CareCard
    • a Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security Request for Continued Assistance Form DES8
    • a Social Insurance Card issued by Human Resources Development Canada
    • a Citizenship Card issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
    • a real property tax notice issued under section 369 of the Local Government Act or section 21 of the Taxation (Rural Area) Act
    • a credit card or debit card issued by a savings institution as defined in s.29 of the Interpretation Act
    • a utility bill issued for the supply of electricity, natural gas, water, telephone services or coaxial cable services by a public utility as defined in section 1 of the Utilities Commission Act:
      • a gas utility as defined in section 1 of the Gas Utility Act,
      • a water utility as defined in section 1 of the Water Act,
      • the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, or
      • a corporation licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission for the purposes of that supply.


Who Can Vote?

In order to be eligible to vote as a resident elector on Voting Day you must satisfy all of the following criteria:

      • age 18 or older; and
      • a Canadian citizen; and
      • a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration; and
      • a resident of the City of Victoria for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration; and
      • not disqualified by any enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law.


Advance Voting Opportunities

Victoria City Hall, 1 Centennial Square

Wednesday, November 9, 2011, 8am-8pm
Monday, November 14, 2011 , 8am-8pm


Local Elections

BC general elections are held every three years for mayors, councillors, regional district electoral area directors, school board trustees and Islands Trust trustees. Candidates are voted in for a three-year term.

Pursuant to the Local Government Act,, local general voting day is always the third Saturday in November. The next general voting day falls on November 19, 2011.

Electors in Victoria vote to choose:

      • 1 Mayor
      • 8 Councillors
      • 9 School Trustees (School District 61)

If you have questions, please call Legislative Services at 250-361-0571 or email Don Schaffer, Manager of Legislative Services, at dschaffer@victoria.ca.

Candidate Forums

Community organizations and other groups organize candidate forums. The City will take information about these forums and provide an updated list throughout the relevant time frame. However, that list will be provided for convenience only; while every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information, community organizations staging the forums will be responsible for the accuracy of the information.

Residency Requirements

The Greater Victoria Area is made up of many municipalities so you may be unsure of whether you are a City of Victoria resident or resident of another municipality. Check your property tax receipt or phone Legislative Services at 250-361-0571 to confirm in which municipality you reside. Only City of Victoria residents and non-resident property owners are eligible to vote in the Victoria election.

Electronic vote tabulators (ballot counters) will be used during the 2011 Election.

Elector Information

Pursuant to the City of Victoria election bylaw, all electors will be asked to prove their identity before they receive a ballot. All electors must present two of the identity documents noted below at the Voting Place when they cast their ballots.

Voter Registration

You must register to vote before you receive a ballot. The City of Victoria uses the Provincial Voters’ List as the City’s List of Electors for local general elections. If you are registered as a provincial voter, you should be on this list.

Elector Registration

If you are unsure about whether or not you are registered to vote, or if you know you are not registered to vote, please contact the Deputy Chief Election Officer at 250.361.0549 for further information. You may register in advance at Victoria City Hall until September 27, 2011.

Advance registration closes on September 27, 2011. If you are not a registered elector by that time you may register to vote at a voting place on either of the advance voting days, or on general voting day.

Special Advance Voting Opportunities

Special Advance Voting Opportunities are open to electors who are residents or staff members of health care or other facilities who would otherwise not be able to vote. These electors will be notified of such voting opportunities.

What if I Need Assistance to Vote?

All local governments are required to make voting places as accessible as possible to people with disabilities or impaired mobility. If you find it difficult to get into a voting place, but can make it to the parking lot or the curb outside, you may request an election official to bring you a ballot. This is called curbside voting. If you are unable to mark your own ballot, you may ask an election official, friend or relative to help you. If you need a translator, you may bring someone to assist you.

What if I am unable to attend an advance voting opportunity or vote on general voting day?

Changes to the City’s election bylaw enable the City to provide you with a mail ballot. If you wish to take part in the mail ballot process, please contact 250.361.0571 or email the Deputy Chief Election Officer.

Mail Balloting

If you are unable to attend either the advance voting opportunities or a voting place on general voting day you may be able to vote by mail. For information, please contact 250.361.0571 or email the Deputy Chief Election Officer.

Provincial Voters Guide

The Provincial Government has produced a guide for voters that can be found at the following link:

 

Previous Election Results

 

Please contact the campaign if you need any help getting to the polls: Ben@Isitt.ca / 250.882.9302.