Vote-by-Mail ID Upload System FAQ

If you are not a registered voter, or if your registration information needs to be updated, you must provide acceptable ID for your vote-by-mail package to be counted. The identification documents will only be used for the purposes of verifying your identity.

The information will be used to administer the procedures for mail-in voting under the Election Act. This information is collected under the authority of the Election Act, the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and the Voting Options Regulation. Questions about its collection and use can be directed to the Elections BC Privacy Officer at privacy@elections.bc.ca or PO Box 9275 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9J6.

Only authorized Elections BC staff will have access to your uploaded file(s).

Elections BC has digital and physical security measures in place to protect personal information as required by s. 30 of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act.

Elections BC will keep images of your identification documents for one year, as required under s. 149 of the Election Act.

The Elections BC ID Upload system is accessed using the link provided on your vote-by-mail package instructions. If you provided your email address when requesting your vote-by-mail package, you will also receive the link by email. Elections BC will not request personal information directly through email, text message or any other channels. If you are uncertain, visit the Elections BC website or call 1-800-661-8683.

The Vote-by-mail Correction system is accessed using the link provided through email, if you have provided your email address. If you have not provided an email, then a contact centre operator may call you with information on how to submit the correction to your vote-by-mail package.

You can include photocopies of your ID when you return your vote-by-mail package. If you choose to return photocopies of your ID with your package, you do not need to upload images of your ID.

This message means you do not need to provide ID for your vote-by-mail package to be accepted.

You only need to provide ID if “ID REQUIRED” is printed in the lower right corner of Certification Envelope B. If you do not see “ID REQUIRED” on Certification Envelope B, then you do not need to use this system.

The ID Upload system will prompt you to select a file to upload. You can select a photo or scan of your ID documents that you already have, or, if you are using a mobile device, you can choose to take a new photo of your documents.

After you click the “Submit” button, you will see a message thanking you for your submission. If you provided an email or mobile phone number when you submitted your request, you will receive an email or text message. If you did not receive an email, check your junk folder.

Once you have uploaded your identification documents and clicked “Submit”, you will not be able to modify your submission online. Please call us at 1-800-661-8683 if you need to change your ID.

If you would like to provide feedback about the ID Upload or Vote-by-mail Correction systems, please email us at VoteByMail@elections.bc.ca.

You can upload up to two images of acceptable ID.

The following file types are accepted:

• .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tif, .tiff, .bmp, .gif, .doc, .docx, .odt, .heic, .pdf

Files must be less than 20 MB in size.

Please see this page for a list of acceptable ID.

If you do not have any of the identity documents listed under Option 1 or Option 2 on the page linked above, you can have your identity vouched for by another person. Complete the Vouching at Voter Registration form and upload it like any other piece of ID.

“This file will not be attached.”

You can upload up to two files. If you have added more than two files, please remove the extra files and ensure that the file(s) you submit meet the ID requirements. The file(s) you attach must be one of the accepted file types.

“The information you have provided does not match Elections BC’s records.”

If you receive this message, make sure that you used the link in the email addressed to you. If you entered the barcode from your vote-by-mail package or email, double-check that you entered it correctly. Make sure to review your information and ensure it is correct before clicking “Submit”.

“Thank you for using Elections BC’s ID Upload system. Elections BC has received your identification document(s)…”

Elections BC has already received your documents. You do not need to do anything else.

If you have not uploaded your ID yet and are receiving this message, please email us at VoteByMail@elections.bc.ca.

If your Certification Envelope B has “ID REQUIRED” printed in the lower right corner, you must provide acceptable identification for your vote-by-mail package to be counted.

If “ID REQUIRED” is not printed in the lower right corner of Certification Envelope B, you are not required to provide ID.

If you are required to provide ID for your vote-by-mail package, you must upload your ID through the ID Upload system before returning your completed package. If you do not want to use the ID Upload system, you can include photocopies of your ID when you return your completed package.

Completed vote-by-mail packages must be received by Elections BC by 8 p.m. (Pacific time) on October 19, 2024 to be counted.

If you are required to provide ID and you do not provide acceptable identification by using the ID Upload system or by including photocopies with your completed package, your vote-by-mail package will not be accepted.

If you requested a vote-by-mail package and your information was already up to date with Elections BC when you requested it, you are not required to provide ID for your vote-by-mail package to be accepted.

Processing and delivery times for vote-by-mail packages vary depending on the volume of vote-by-mail requests and your delivery address. It may take 2-5 business days to receive your vote-by-mail package.

If you did not receive your package after this, you may request a replacement package or vote using another opportunity instead. Visit elections.bc.ca/wheretovote or contact us at 1-800-661-8683 for information about in-person voting opportunities.

If you have included photocopies of acceptable ID in the vote-by-mail package you returned to Elections BC, you do not need to upload ID.

• Certification Envelope B was not signed,
• the date of birth was not completed, or
• the date of birth provided does not match Elections BC’s records.

If you received this notification, you can use the Vote-by-mail Corrections system to provide the missing information so your vote can be counted.

If your vote-by-mail package requires a correction, Elections BC will contact you by email or phone with instructions for making the correction.

You must complete the correction process by 8 p.m. (Pacific time) on October 19, 2024.

You may be contacted again if we require additional information about your correction. If no further information is required, you will not be contacted again about your correction.

No. After we receive your completed vote-by-mail package, you cannot vote at another voting opportunity. You must provide the required information for your vote to be counted.