—Update, Sept. 22—
You can vote this week, Squamish.
Now that the writs have been dropped for British Columbia's 43rd Provincial General Election, Squamish residents can vote when and how it suits them up until final voting day, on Saturday, Oct. 19.
"B.C. has the most accessible voting system in Canada. Voters can cast their ballot at any district electoral office, at advance voting, by mail, or on final voting day, and I encourage all eligible voters to cast their ballot and participate in British Columbia's democracy," said Chief Electoral Officer Anton Boegman in an Elections BC news release.
What is a writ?
"The writ of election is a formal order signed by the Chief Electoral Officer and the Lieutenant Governor that directs a District Electoral Officer to conduct an election. An election is called when the writ of election has been issued. In a general election, a writ is issued for each of the province’s 93 electoral districts. When they are returned, the election period is officially over," reads the Elections BC website.
Here's the writ for West-Vancouver Sea to Sky.
How and where can I vote?
Voting is available now at any district electoral office. Elections BC has opened offices in every electoral district in the province. Office locations and hours are listed at elections.bc.ca/offices.
In Squamish, the electoral office is at 38144 Second Ave.
It is open from Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
(Advance voting days it will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.)
Advance voting will be available from Oct. 10 to 13 and Oct. 15 to 16, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Contact the electoral office: [email protected] (778) 572-4610.
All voters can cast their ballots by mail.
Request a vote-by-mail package online at votebymail.elections.bc.ca, or phone at 1-800-661-8683, or go in person at any district electoral office.
The completed package must be received by Elections BC before 8 p.m. on Oct. 19.
See the Vote by Mail page on the Elections BC website for more information
—Original story—
With the provincial election fast approaching, even for political junkies, it can be confusing what is what each time folks head to the polls.
Here's a breakdown to help Squamish voters prepare to cast their ballots on Oct. 19.
We will update this page as the election nears with more detailed information.
This information is primarily taken from the Elections BC website, which is a non-partisan Office of the Legislature responsible for running elections in B.C.
What is our riding, anyway?
For provincial elections, Squamish is in the riding of West Vancouver-Sea to Sky.
It is the last on the list of ridings on the Elections BC site, which is handy.
Here's a map of the area included in our riding.
Who is running in our riding?
The BC United Party's Jordan Sturdy is Squamish's outgoing Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). He is retiring from politics. He took the seat in 2013 and was re-elected in 2017 and 2020.
In the West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, the candidates running to be our next MLA are, in alphabetical order by their last names:
• Jen Ford—BC NDP
• Yuri Fulmer—Conservative Party of British Columbia
• Jeremy Valeriote—BC Green Party
BC United is not running a candidate.
Who can vote?
In B.C. to vote, you have to be:
• a Canadian citizen,
• 18 or older,
• a B.C. resident for the past six months, and
• not disqualified from voting.
Get ready to vote
To vote in the upcoming election you have to be registered.
If you aren't sure if you are registered, you can check through the Online Voter Registration system or by calling Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683.
Folks who are unhoused, can still vote. If you don't have a home address, you can use the address of a shelter, or similar institution that provides food, lodging or other social services.
If you live on an anchored boat, you can use the marina address. If your boat is not usually tied to a dock, you will not be able to use the Online Voter Registration system.
Call Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683 or email them at [email protected].
If a family member who voted has passed away, let Elections BC know.
There are several ways to register:
- online
- by phone at 1-800-661-8683 (Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
- by mail, fax or email by sending Elections BC this form
(If you have a problem, check this Elections BC Q&A page.)
Once you are registered, you will be sent a card that will tell you where exactly in Squamish you can go to vote on election day.
Future voters, register now?
If you are 16 or 17 years old, you can register now so you are all set when you turn 18.
The registration methods are the same.
This is what you need to register:
You will need to provide your name, date of birth, address, and one of the following identification numbers:
- your B.C. driver’s licence number,
- your B.C. Identification Card number,
- the last six digits of your Social Insurance Number, or
- the last six digits of your Personal Health Number.
Can I just mail it in?
All voters can vote by mail. If you want to do so, you can request a voting package now. (Yes, right now!)
Go to this page on Elections BC to learn more and request a package.
Elections BC will begin mailing voters their vote-by-mail packages:
- On Aug. 22, for out-of-province voters
- On Sept. 16 for in province
Elections BC must receive your completed vote-by-mail package:
- no earlier than Sept. 21, and
- no later than 8 p.m. (Pacific time) on Saturday, Oct. 19.
Advance voting?
Advance voting (there's no d on advance, it drives us nuts too!) is casting your ballot ahead of election day.
It means early voting.
Advance voting, which is available to all voters for any reason they wish to cast early, will be available Oct. 10 to 13 and Oct. 15 to 16, 2024 (not available Monday, Oct. 14, due to Thanksgiving).
Advance voting places are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time.
Elections BC will announce where exactly to go in Squamish for advance voting after the election is officially called on Sept. 21.
On election day, Oct. 19, folks will be able to cast their ballots from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Your card sent by Elections BC after or if you are registered will tell you exactly where to go in Squamish; however, B.C. has a “vote anywhere” model, meaning you may vote at any voting place.
Important dates to note
• We are currently in the "pre-campaign" period; it began on July 23. This period isn't really significant for votes, as it relates to the period of time when candidates' election advertising is regulated.
• Writ day. This is the day when the election is officially called, meaning campaigning begins in earnest. Readers may see the phrase "the writ is dropped or is dropping." It means the same thing. The writ will be dropped on Sept. 21.
• Candidate nominations close at 1 p.m. Sept. 28. This is the final deadline for anyone to run in our riding as a candidate.
• Last day to request a vote-by-mail package online or by phone is Oct. 13.
• Election day is Oct. 19.
Different languages?
Elections BC offers voter registration and voting materials in multiple languages. Find that here.
