WHEREAS Local Government Act Division 9 Voting Opportunities does not allow the ability to offer online voting to electors in local government elections; AND WHEREAS this additional service provision would assist the general population especially the elderly, disabled, snowbirds, and those working in camp, to participate in the democratic process: THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that UBCM request the Province of BC to initiate the policy analysis and legislative changes required to implement online voting for the 2014 local government election.
Ministry of Community, Sport Cultural Development The Province is supportive of the concept of online voting and finding ways to make it work in the local government elections system. That means ensuring that it would work in a way that enables all involved in the local elections process to feel confident in the security, transparency, and integrity of the voting process and the validity of the election outcome. Current legislation does not provide authority to local governments to provide online voting opportunities. The Province wants to work with UBCM and specific local governments that are interested in implementing online voting to see if online voting can be developed in a way that addresses concerns with this process and provides appropriate safeguards to allow for voter confidence. Elections BC reviewed the opportunities and risks of online voting and published a discussion paper on this topic. That work will be helpful in guiding decisions about the potential development of online voting for local elections.