Britt Santowski
Sooke News Mirror
“Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote.”
George Jean Nathan
On Tuesday, May 14, B.C. residents go to the polls to determine the shape of our political house for the next four years. Let’s ensure there are no bad officials this time around!
Here’s the bare-bone basics of what you need to know when it comes to voting in BC.
THE NAKED TRUTH
Riding: Juan de Fuca
General Voting Day: Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Time: Between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
WHERE TO VOTE
All election locations are deemed wheelchair accessible.
ON ELECTION DAY
Voters can vote at ANY of the general voting locations in their riding. For our readership, these are the main Sooke-to-Port Renfrew voting stations. For others, go to the Elections BC website.
SEAPARC Leisure Centre, 2168 Phillips Rd., Sooke
Sooke Community Hall, 2037 Sheilds Rd., Sooke
Otter Point Fire Hall, 3727 Otter Point Rd., Otter Point
Shirley Community Hall, 2795 Sheringham Point Rd., Shirley
Port Renfrew elementary school, 6633 Deering Rd., Port Renfrew
East Sooke Fire Hall, Coppermine Rd., East Sooke.
ADVANCED
Won’t be here? Easy. Advanced voting can be done from Wednesday, May 8 through to Saturday May 11, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Sooke Comm Hall
SEAPARC Leisure Centre
CANDIDATES (in alphabetical order)
John Horgan - BC NDP
Kerrie Reay - BC Liberal Party
Carlos Serra - Green Party of BC
REGISTERED VOTERS
Registered voters are those who have actively registered or been enumerated. All registered voters should have received a “Where to Vote” card in the mail.
NON-REGISTERED VOTERS
If you have not received your card in the mail, and/or you are not registered to vote, you can still vote on the day of the election if you meet the eligibility requirements.
ELIGIBILITY
In order to vote, you must meet certain criteria. You must:
be a Canadian citizen
be 18 or older on voting day
be a resident of the electoral district
have lived in B.C. for at least six months leading up to the election
be registered to vote (or, you can register when you vote)
INELIGIBLE
You cannot vote is you have been convicted of an indictable offence (i.e., tried in court and found guilty by a judge or jury), AND are in custody.
You are also banned from voting if you have been found guilty of committing an election offence (such as vote buying, intimidation, double voting or signing a false statement).
IDENTIFICATION
YES. You have identification:
When you show up to vote, you must bring identification with you. This can be:
One document that includes your image, your address and your signature (driver’s license, BC identification card or a BC services card), or
A certificate of Indian Status, or
Two documents that together show your name, address, and signature, both of which have your name on them. Refer to the BC Elections website for more information if this is your situation: http://www.elections.bc.ca/index.php/voting/
NO. You don’t have identification:
If you don’t have the required identification, someone who is a registered voter and is a family member or someone with Power of Attorney can vouch for you. Again, if this is your situation and you want to vote, refer to the BC Elections website referenced above.