Voter Information
A municipal election has been called for November 15th 2008. Elections take place simultaneously in all cities and municipalities in British Columbia. Voting takes place between 8 am and 8pm.
If you’re voting for the first time, check out the City of Vancouver’s Advice for First Time Voters sheet.
Who can vote?
There are two categories of municipal voter
- a resident elector (ie. you live in Vancouver); or
- a non-resident property elector (ie. you live elsewhere in B.C. but you own property in Vancouver)
You must meet ALL of the following requirements to vote:
- You must be 18 years of age or older on election day (November 15, 2008).
- You must be a Canadian citizen.
- You must have been a resident of B.C. for at least six months.
- You must have
- been a resident of your municipality, regional district or school district for at least 30 days immediately before you register to vote (for resident electors) ; or
- owned a property in your city for at least 30 days immediately before you register to vote (for non-resident property electors).
- You must not have been disqualified by law from voting.
For more information, check the Voter’s Guide to Local Elections in BC.
When can I vote?
General voting takes place on November 15th 2008 from 8am to 8pm. You may also vote at the advance polls.
Voting in advance
Any eligible voter can vote in advance. You no longer need to prove you will be away on voting day.
Advance voting will take place on November 5th everywhere, and on other dates as specified by your local government.
In Vancouver, advance voting occurs on November 5, 8, 10 and 12 from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. at the following five locations:
- City Hall
- Dunbar Community Centre
- Trout Lake Community Centre
- West End Community Centre
- Sunset Community Centre
follow this link for more information about voting in Vancouver.
Why should I vote?
The municipal government has jurisdiction over a number of areas that affect students directly. They are important, and you should have a say. Clink on the links below to find AMS background materials on these important issues.
· Housing
· Transit
· Childcare
· Environment
· Civic Arts Council
I am not registerred! What do I do?
Go to the polling station during the advance poll or on general voting day with proof of ID and address and you can register on the day.
Do I need identification in order to vote?
Yes. You will need two pieces of ID- one with your residential address and one of them must have your signature.
If your ID doesn’t show your residential address, you can make what is called a “solemn declaration” as to your residence. The voting clerk will have the form you need to use to make that declaration.
You do not need picture ID to vote.
I moved here two weeks before General Voting Day. Can I vote?
No. you must have lived in the city where you are voting for 30 days before election day to be eligible to vote.
I moved here from Ontario for school in September. Can I vote?
No. You need to have been a BC resident for six months before voting day to vote in the municipal elections.
Who is running?
Where do I vote?
You must vote in the city where you live, and in some cases in the poll or voting division where you live.
Vancouver residents can find polling stations here, or by calling 604.873.7681.
Residents of other cities and municipalities can find candidate information and polling station locations through their local government webpages:
· Burnaby
· Richmond
· Delta
· Surrey
· Mission
· Anmore
· Belcarra
Special rules for Electoral Area A
UBC is not part of the City of Vancouver- it is part of Metro Vancouver’s Electoral Area A. Residents of the UBC campus, the UEL and the Neighbourhoods, including students in UBC Housing do not vote for Vancouver’s mayor or council. They vote for Vancouver School Board Trustees, and for a director of Electoral Area A.
Electoral Area “A” refers to that part of the Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD) not within the boundaries of a City, District, Island, Town, or Village municipality, or any land, foreshore, or land covered by water that may be hereafter incorporated within the boundaries of a municipality. This includes the University Endowment Lands, University of British Columbia lands, Bowyer Island, Grebe Islets, Passage Island, Barnston Island, and those areas of Howe Sound, Indian Arm and West Pitt Lake in the GVRD not within a municipal corporation.
Electoral Area A voting takes place on November 15th from 8am to 8pm.
On general voting day campus residents can vote at:
• University Hill Secondary School 2896 Acadia Road, Vancouver
• University of British Columbia Student Union Building Room 212 6138 Student Union Boulevard
Electoral Area A Advanced Polls November 5 or 8, 2008 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00
- Dunbar Community Centre 4747 Dunbar Street, Vancouver
- (other locations as specified in the guide).
Want more information?
More information about voting in Electoral Area A is here:
· Area A Voter’s guide ( contains maps)
More information about voting in municipal, school board and park board elections is available here. And a useful FAQ sheet is available here.
Legislation
If you would like to volunteer with the AMS’ election efforts, please contact Blake Frederick at avpexternal@ams.ubc.ca
The AMS is currently meeting with municipal candidates in Vancouver. View our lobby document.
Candidates wishing to arrange meetings or seeking information should contact policy@ams.ubc.ca