's snap election means 700K ballots will be counted manually, delaying results, Video call gaffes dominate B.C. “It is possible that voters, especially those who request a voting package this week, will receive their vote-by-mail package after the recommended deadline to return it by mail on Oct. 17.”, Read more: Under different circumstances, the BC Liberals would have probably saved the announcement of their intended temporary cancellation of the Provincial Sales Tax (PST) until the latter stages of the campaign, instead of publicizing it at the start of the second week. In the 2017 provincial election, just 6,517 voters voted by mail. If the envelopes are sealed, you may carefully open the seals and tape them closed. election ballot. “All voters can vote by mail: you don’t need a special reason.”. You can return your vote-by-mail package in person at a district electoral office, voting place or participating Service BC locations. © 2020 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc. Demand for mail-in ballots in the B.C. More than 138,000 completed vote-by-mail packages have already been returned, Elections BC said. 's pandemic election controversies, B.C. Just 6,517 of those were returned in time to be counted. With BC’s provincial election set to take place next month amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Elections BC said it anticipates a higher-than-usual number of mail-in ballots to be cast as people opt to stay away from in-person voting stations. If you make a mistake or have questions about how to mark your ballot, call. Voters who opt to vote in person after requesting a vote-by-mail package must destroy it and should not return it to Elections BC. Your package will be mailed to you. Voters in these areas wishing to return their package in person should return it at a district electoral office or voting place.). In previous provincial campaigns, political parties timed their announcements carefully, usually saving the juiciest morsels of their policy platforms for the final stretch. October 17 was the last day to request a vote-by-mail package online or by phone. voter registration section on the other side of this sheet. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. states are also bracing for the possibility of receiving many more postal ballots than in 2016. This year, the number looks to be exponentially larger. If postal ballots are tallied earlier in British Columbia, the possibility of the traditional end to a campaign, with phone calls between leaders, concession and victory speeches, may still be attainable in 2020. election 2020: Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson looks to become the doctor in the house, No tsunami threat to B.C. Elections BC. A voter could conceivably mail in his or her ballot in support of the BC Conservatives, only to find out that there is no actual person representing the party in the riding. In Florida, the process can start 22 days before voters who want to head to polling stations can do so. This year, more than 400,000 registered voters in British Columbia have already requested a mail-in ballot, and some have already received it. In fact, officials estimate that as much as 35% of the total votes cast could come through mail-in ballots. election soars. In previous elections, the count began 13 days after Election Day, but these guidelines are from a different time altogether. To mark your write-in ballot, you must write the name of the party or candidate of your choice clearly in the space provided. We have not seen massive events filled with screaming supporters, and candidates have been unable to shake hands and kiss babies. If mailing from outside of Canada, you must provide the necessary postage. A voter could conceivably mail in his or her ballot in support of the BC Conservatives, only to find out that there is no actual person representing the party in the riding. Here’s what’s going on, Brian Wilson denounces Beach Boys performance at Trump fundraiser: ‘We didn’t even know about it’, B.C. Watch our video on how to vote-by-mail during the 2020 Provincial General Election. Make sure you write the name of a party or candidate running in your electoral district or your vote will not be counted. At this stage voters should return their vote-by-mail package in person to make sure Elections BC receives it by the deadline. If it doesn’t, contact Completed vote-by-mail packages must be received by Elections BC before 8 pm PST on election day – Saturday, October 24. Services for at-risk voters and voters with disabilities, Guidelines for Campaigning during COVID-19, Provincial Third Party Advertising Sponsors, Making a Contribution for an Initiative Petition, how to vote-by-mail during the 2020 Provincial General Election. Watch our video on how to vote-by-mail during the 2020 Provincial General Election. "You don't need a special reason.". Read more: And that option is available to every registered voter. By comparison, only 11,268 packages were sent out for the 2017 election. Writing the name of the party leader on a ballot would also result in the vote being thrown out. Calling Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683. ‘A giant hot air balloon with not much in it’: Memorable quotes from the B.C. The important thing to remember about voting by mail is that for your ballot to be counted, it has to be returned to Elections BC by 8 p.m. on voting day, which is Oct. 24 this year. It appears many British Columbians would prefer to cast their vote for their next provincial government by mail. If you requested a vote-by-mail package before candidate nominations closed on Friday, October 2, your package will include a write-in ballot. Completed vote-by-mail packages must be received by Elections BC before 8 p.m. PT on Sat., Oct. 24, whether returned in-person or by mail. "All voters can vote by mail," according to the Elections BC website. This is because the final nominations for candidates remained open when the voting packages were originally mailed. Contact Elections BC to request a vote-by-mail package as soon as possible. If you requested your vote-by-mail package after candidate nominations closed, you will have an ordinary ballot. If you requested a vote-by-mail package before candidate nominations closed on Friday, October 2, your package will include a write-in ballot. Get a roundup of the most important and intriguing national stories delivered to your inbox every weekday. That massive surge in demand is also expected to make finalizing the results more complicated than usual. There are also multiple ways to return your ballot. BC’s provincial election set to take place next month, Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson wants three televised debates during the provincial election, BC officials lay out plan for safe election during pandemic, BC Premier John Horgan officially calls fall provincial election. A postal vote for candidate John Horgan would only be valid if the elector resides in the Juan de Fuca constituency. It’s not the one you think, B.C. Elections BC says it has received so many requests for mail-in ballots that some voters may not receive their vote-by-mail package in time to be counted in this month’s provincial election. VANCOUVER -- If … (Packages can't be dropped off at Service BC locations in Surrey, Vancouver, Burnaby or Masset.). Contact Elections BC to request a vote-by-mail package as soon as possible. You may also return your package by mail. Elections BC says it has received so many requests for mail-in ballots that some voters may not receive their vote-by-mail package in time to be counted in this month’s provincial election. after 7.5-magnitude earthquake in Alaska, Health Canada recalls counterfeit hand sanitizer found at Dollarama in Ontario, Canada tops 200,000 confirmed cases of coronavirus, Are you cleaning your mask properly? 3:25 Mailing it in. In the 2017 provincial election, just 6,517 voters voted by mail. Saying “Yes” or “No” was similar to selecting the numbers on a 6/49 lottery ticket. grocery stores. After 8 p.m. on October 17, voters will not be able to request a vote-by-mail package online or through our Contact Centre. If you requested your vote-by-mail package before candidate nominations closed, election: Horgan addresses Cullen's 'stupid comments' about BC Liberal candidate, B.C. Your electoral district is shown on the certification envelope included in your vote-by-mail package (see sample below). Virtual events, where possessing the correct type of software and immaculate reception are a must, have been the norm. All rights reserved. Elections BC > Voting > How to Vote by Mail > How to Mark your Write-in Ballot. Note: Vote-by-mail packages cannot be dropped off at Service BC locations in Surrey, Vancouver, Burnaby or Masset. You can ask for one by: Requesting a vote-by-mail package online. If you would like to pick up your vote-by-mail package in person, contact the closest district electoral office. How do I vote by mail in B.C.? VANCOUVER -- election 2020 promise tracker: What the major parties are pledging. Mario Canseco is president of Research Co. voters have already requested mail-in ballots, with many apparently concerned about heading to the polls during a pandemic. What about B.C.? Completed vote-by-mail packages must be received by Elections BC before 8 p.m. (Pacific time) on Saturday, October 24. Example certification envelope. We also found out that 16% of likely voters have not decided yet if they will actually engage in postal voting, or ultimately attend a polling station in the middle of the COVID-19 pandemic. election: Some voters may receive ballots too late to return by mail, says Elections BC. Results are based on an online study conducted September 21–23, 2020, among 750 likely voters in British Columbia. vote and your Certification Envelope B has your name on it. This explosion in postal voting makes things more complicated for parties, as especially attractive ideas and proposals – particularly from the opposition – are being introduced sooner than usual. We talk to Chief Electoral Officer Anton Boegman about what you need to know if you're still considering voting by mail. At this stage voters should return their vote-by-mail package in person to make sure Elections BC receives it by 8 p.m. (Pacific time) on Saturday, October 24. Put Secrecy Sleeve A with your marked ballot in it into Certification Envelope B. Your package will be mailed to you. The registered voters who have already received their package from Elections BC have noticed that their ballot includes no names of candidates or parties, but instead features a blank box to write their choice in. 's snap election illegal, 'We are in our 2nd wave,' B.C. Interior, Windows smashed in at BC Liberal candidate's Surrey campaign office, B.C. Check Election BC’s Where to Vote app for a list of district electoral offices and voting places, or see this list of Service BC locations. Vancouver city staffers were asked to consider free parking for veterans. 4 new COVID-19 outbreaks reported in just a few days at B.C. We recommend that you request a vote-by-mail package by October 17. If you have any questions about your vote by mail package, call Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683. A postage paid return envelope is provided for voters in Canada. Voters can send them through the mail using a postage-paid envelope that's provided in their voting package, or drop them off in person at a district electoral office, polling station or at participating Service BC locations. Sign up for our newsletter to get exclusive content, contests, and perks direct to you. There are other challenges with postal voting that need to be thoroughly and directly explained to the electorate. Your package will be mailed to you. More than 370,000 mail-in ballot applications have been rejected, according to state data released to the Philadelphia Inquirer.