Whereas the British Columbia Local Government Act prescribes local government election processes, including the candidate nomination period and other election timelines; And whereas local governments endeavour to ensure best practices and operational efficiencies are employed to encourage voter turnout; And whereas the time period between the end of the nomination period and the beginning of the election period, through advance voting opportunities, is insufficient to enable voters who are absent from the jurisdiction during the voting period, to participate in voting through a mail ballot process: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM request that the Province of British Columbia amend the Local Government Act, prior to the 2018 Local General Elections, to increase the time period between the end of the candidate nomination period and the beginning of the election period, to facilitate the administration of the mail ballot process and provide greater voting opportunities for citizens.
Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development Government is interested in supporting local governments seeking to improve their efficiency and effectiveness and encourages practical ideas for raising voter turnout during local government elections. As indicated by the UBCM Resolutions Committee, this is the first time that the Ministry has been made aware of a request to extend the time period between the end of the nomination period and the beginning of the election period for the purpose of mail ballot voting opportunities. Amending the legislation in the Local Government Act to extend the time between the end of the nomination period and the beginning of the election period may have a significant impact on the timing of other election processes including the set date for regular elections 3rd Saturday of October and any by-elections. Consequential changes to the election process, either before the current nomination period or after the current election period, would also need to be considered and researched. To explore this issue further, work would need to be undertaken with election administrators, through the Local Government Management Association. That work would assist to better understand the extent and impact of the mail ballot timing issue, including the reasons why the current timing is problematic; how Chief Election Officers currently handle and administer mail ballot voting; as well as considering any practical solutions already in use.