Plebiscite Voting Packages are in the Mail

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9, 2015

VICTORIA – Between Monday, March 16 and Friday, March 27 Elections BC will mail a 2015 Metro Vancouver Transportation and Transit Plebiscite Voting Package to each registered voter in Metro Vancouver. The plebiscite, the first in British Columbia since 1972, is being administered by Elections BC as a vote-by-mail event.

Registered voters in Metro Vancouver are being asked to vote on a new 0.5% Metro Vancouver Congestion Improvement Tax, to be dedicated to the Mayors’ Council Transportation and Transit plan.

To be eligible to vote in the plebiscite, voters must be:

• a Canadian citizen
• 18 years of age of older, on or before May 29, 2015
• a resident of B.C. for at least six months, on or before May 29, 2015
• registered to vote in B.C., and
• living in Metro Vancouver

“Voting packages are being mailed to over 1.56 million registered voters in Metro Vancouver” says Keith Archer, British Columbia’s Chief Electoral Officer. “Voters who do not receive a voting package by March 27 can ask for one to be mailed to them by calling Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683 or online at elections.bc.ca/ovr.”

Voters can ask for a voting package until midnight on Friday, May 15. Completed ballot packages must be received by Elections BC before the close of voting at 8 p.m. on Friday, May 29, 2015. Voters can return ballot packages through the mail or at an Elections BC Plebiscite Service Office.

Plebiscite Service Offices provide an accessible alternative for voters who need services in person or who have challenges in receiving mail. Elections BC will open nine offices throughout Metro Vancouver on Monday, April 13, to provide information on voting in the plebiscite, conduct voter registration, issue voting packages, and accept completed ballot packages. Plebiscite Service Office locations will be posted on the Elections BC website.

Starting on April 1, Elections BC will post weekly totals of ballot packages received, on the Elections BC website.

Voting information, including translations, frequently asked questions and other resources are available at elections.bc.ca/plebiscite or by calling 1-800-661-8683.

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Contact:
Don Main
Communications Manager
Elections BC
Tel: 250-387-1709
Email: Don.Main@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. under the Election Act, Referendum Act, Recall and Initiative Act and Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.