What’s New for the 2011 General Local Election?

Links:

Declaration of Candidates (Download PDF Format)

2011 Election Results

Important dates for the 2011 Local Government Election

Provincial Voter’s List

Provincial Voter’s List

For the first time - this year the Town of Gibsons will be using the Provincial Voter’s List (reducing the time spent on same day registration).  If you are not on the Provincial Voter’s List you can still register on the day you vote.

Voters must provide:

• one document issued by the Government of B.C. or Canada that contains the voter’s name, photograph and residential address, such as a B.C. driver’s licence or B.C. Identification Card (BCID)

OR

• a Certificate of Indian Status

OR

• two documents that contain the voter’s name. At least one of the documents must also contain the voter’s residential address.

For the first time - this year the Town of Gibsons will be offering Mail Ballots.  A person wishing to vote by mail ballot may apply in writing by providing their name and address to the Chief Election Officer, up to 4:00 pm two (2) days before general voting day.

Voting by mail is available to persons in the following circumstances only:

• If you have a physical disability, illness, or injury that affects his or her ability to vote at another voting opportunity, or
• expect to be absent from the Town on general voting day and at the times of all advance voting opportunities

A person wishing to vote by mail ballot may apply in writing by providing their name and address to the Chief Election Officer, up to 4:00 p.m. two (2) days before general voting day.

In order to be counted for an election, an elector's mail ballot must be mailed or delivered to the Chief Election Officer at the address specified on the outer envelope provided in the mail ballot package so that it is received no later than the close of voting on general voting day.

Download the Mail Ballot Application (PDF format)

Automated Voting Machines

For the first time – this year the Town of Gibsons will use Automated Voting Machines for balloting.  This technology will be used to elect Mayor, Councillor and School District Trustee on one simple consolidated ballot.

With this method, electors simply fill in spaces to mark their choices on one consolidated ballot.  The machine then scans and ‘interprets’ the ballot.  In the event the ballot is spoiled, it will immediately identified, allowing the voter to recast their vote or have the choice to have the ballot accepted as is.

Fast, Simple and Accurate

The Town will use AccuVote – OS voting machines rented from the City of Toronto, which bring a level of accuracy and simplicity to conducting elections and streamlining the entire election process.

The machines read standard paper ballots that are retained in accordance with Provincial legislation as proof of the validity of the election process.

Easy to use:

1. Mark the ballot
2. Insert ballot into AccuVote – OS machine
3. The machine checks and tallies the ballot and notifies the voter of the following:

• Rejected ballot due to too many marks, allowing the voter to recast;
• No voting marks, allowing the voter the option to correct their ballot; or
• Voter has the option to allow the machine to accept the ballot as it is.

For further information regarding Gibsons’ municipal elections, please contact:

Chief Election Officer

Tel  604.886.2274

Fax  604.886.9735

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Location and Mailing Address

474 South Fletcher Road
Box 340Gibsons, BC
V0N 1V0

Business Hours

8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday (excluding statutory holidays).