Elections 101
An all-candidates meeting in the 2022 municipal elections
Why do municipal elections matter?
You get to have your voice heard and influence key decisions in your community, by supporting candidates who are serious about:
tackling climate change - did you know municipalities have influence over 50% of Canada’s GHG emissions?
creating housing supply, particularly a diversity of housing types;
improving transportation, including transit and active transportation infrastructure.
Oh - and don’t forget you’re also able to vote for the School Board Trustees.
So what am I voting for?
The Mayor
Six councillors, and
Five school board trustees.
The Board of Trustees for West Vancouver School District (SD45) is responsible for hiring the Superintendent and overseeing policies, budgets and operations of the public schools in the district. More info here.
Do I have to vote for all of these?
Actually, no. You don’t HAVE to exercise your right to choose all six councillors and five trustees. You’re not ‘throwing away’ your vote by refusing to elect people you’re unsure about. Instead you’re ‘plumping’ your vote - when you cast a few, rather than all of the ballots you’re allowed. It makes sense to vote for as many as you know are serious about addressing West Van’s challenges.
What does municipal or local government actually do?
Here’s a handy guide:
https://www.westvancouver.ca/government/local-government-101
When is the election?
Saturday October 15, 2022.
Who can vote?
To register to vote in British Columbia, you must be:
a Canadian citizen,
18 or older,
a B.C. resident for the past six months, and
not disqualified from voting.
Non-resident property electors can register when voting by filling in an application, available at the voting place.
How do I register to vote?
If you are 16 or 17 years old, you can register now to be automatically added to the voters list when you turn 18.
By phone at 1-800-661-8683 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. PST)
By mail, fax or email, by filling out this form:
You can also register in person on the day you vote, with the correct ID:
https://elections.bc.ca/voting/what-you-need-to-vote/voter-id
How do I vote?
In person on voting day (8 am to 8 pm) at one of eight locations in the district:
What if I’m busy that day?
Too bad. Advance voting days have been and gone.
Can I vote by mail?
No, the deadline to request a mail-in ballot package - for this election - has passed.
https://election.westvancouver.ca/voters/vote-by-mail