Media Advisory: Make Sure You’re Ready for the Referendum

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 26, 2018

VICTORIA – Away this fall? Moved recently? Changed your name? Make sure you’re ready for the referendum.

Since early September Elections BC has been encouraging voters to get ready for the 2018 Referendum on Electoral Reform. The vote by mail referendum is being held from October 22 to November 30, 2018.

“We want to make sure that every eligible voter has an opportunity to participate in the referendum,” says Anton Boegman, Chief Electoral Officer. “If you’ve moved or will be away, contact Elections BC to make sure you get your voting package later this fall.”

Snowbirds and other voters who will be away during the referendum can provide Elections BC with a mailing address where they can receive their voting package during their absence. More information for voters who will be away temporarily is available at elections.bc.ca/referendum/how-to-vote/#voters-who-are-temporarily-away.

New voters and voters who have moved or changed their name are encouraged to visit elections.bc.ca/ovr to register or update their information. They can also register or update by calling 1-800-661-8683 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Elections BC’s efforts to update the provincial voters list in advance of the referendum will continue until early October. At that point, the non-partisan Office of the Legislature will begin producing over 3.25 million personally addressed voting packages – one for every registered voter in B.C.

Voting packages will be mailed to registered voters between October 22 and November 2. Completed voting packages must be received by Elections BC no later than 4:30 p.m. on November 30, 2018.

For more information, visit elections.bc.ca/referendum.

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Contact:
Andrew Watson
Communications Manager
Elections BC
Phone: 250-387-1709
Email: Andrew.Watson@elections.bc.ca
Website: elections.bc.ca

Elections BC is an independent, non-partisan Office of the Legislature responsible for administering electoral processes in B.C. in accordance with the Election Act, Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, Recall and Initiative Act, and Referendum Act.