Qualifications for Voting

Qualifications for Voting

2003 Descanso Bay Emergency Wharf Referendum
QUALIFICATIONS FOR VOTING
 
Resident Electors: Persons residing within Electoral Area 'B' shall be entitled to vote on the referendum question provided that the following criteria is met:
  1. must be 18 or older on general voting day;
  2. must be a Canadian citizen;
  3. must be a resident of BC (as per s.52 of the Local Government Act) for at least 6 months immediately before registration day;
  4. must be a resident of the voting area jurisdiction (as per s.52 of the Local Government Act) for at least 30 days before registration day;
  5. must not be disqualified from voting by the Local Government Act or any other enactment, or otherwise be disqualified by law.
Persons qualifying as "Resident Electors" who will be applying to register at the time of voting must provide at least two documents verifying the elector's identity, with at least one containing the elector's signature, such as a Drivers License. If the voter does not have a second piece of identification, a solemn declaration will be accepted as a second piece of identification. The voter must sign a solemn declaration stating their name and residential address.

Non Resident Electors: Persons owning property and not residing within Electoral Area 'B' shall be entitled to vote on the referendum question provided that the following criteria is met:

  1. must be 18 or older on general voting day;
  2. must be a Canadian citizen;
  3. must be a resident of BC (as per s.52 of the Local Government Act) for at least 6 months immediately before registration day;
  4. must not be entitled to register as a resident elector;
  5. must have been a registered owner of real property in Electoral Area 'B' for at least 30 days immediately before registration day;
  6. must not be disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or be otherwise disqualified by law.
A person may register as a non-resident property elector in relation to only one parcel of real property within Electoral Area 'B'.

If more than one individual is the registered owner of the real property, only one of those individuals may register and the person registering must do so with the written consent of the number of those individuals who, together with the person registering, are a majority of registered owners.

Persons qualifying as "Non-Resident Property Electors" who will be applying to register at the time of voting, must complete an application form, must provide at least two documents that provide evidence of the applicant's identity and must provide a copy of land title registration or tax notice which provides proof of ownership. At least one of the documents must contain the applicant's signature, such as a Drivers License. If the voter does not have a second piece of identification, a solemn declaration will be accepted as a second piece of identification. The voter must sign a solemn declaration stating their name and residential address.

In order to obtain a "Non-Resident Property Elector Certificate" in advance of general voting day, a person may apply for the Certificate from the Chief Election Officer or the Deputy Election Officer at the following times:

  1. at any time during regular hours of the Regional District of Nanaimo Administration Office, 6300 Hammond Bay Road, Nanaimo, BC;
  2. during advance voting hours at the Gabriola Island Elementary School Library, 680 North Road, Gabriola Island, BC;
  3. during general voting hours at the Gabriola Island Elementary School, 680 North Road, Gabriola Island, BC.

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