Will we be having a BC general election in 2011 – over two years ahead of time. Speculation continues on that one – which is way I took a trip with Google to look at a few recent news stories over the past 6 month. Read on and see what you think ... but first let's check in with Elections BC:
Elections BC
Voting is an important part of our democratic process. It is a chance, for every eligible person to influence the policies that affect our lives on a daily basis. With only a simple mark on a ballot, voting lets us decide who our representatives will be and what our future will look like. The right to vote is protected by Canada’s Charter of Rights and Freedoms and is one of our country’s most cherished institutions.B.C. was the first province in Canada to establish fixed election dates. Provincial general elections are to take place on the second Tuesday in May every four years. The next provincial election is on May 14, 2013
Wikipedia:
The British Columbia Liberal Party leadership election of 2011 was prompted by Gordon Campbell's announcement on November 3, 2010 that he would be resigning as Premier of British Columbia and had asked the BC Liberal Party to hold a leadership convention "at the earliest possible date." The convention elected Christy Clark as its new leader of the party on February 26, 2011.
Wikipedia:
The British Columbia New Democratic Party leadership convention of 2011 was prompted by Carole James announcement on December 6, 2010 that she would be resigning as leader of the party. The convention will be held on April 17, 2011 at the Vancouver Convention Centre with voting occurring by telephone and via internet on that date and through advance voting.
December 2010 StrategicThoughts.com
Before the law was changed to require elections on the second Tuesday of May four years after the last general election, Elections BC stood in a state of readiness so as to be able to conduct an election 28 days after the premier of the day surprised the public by dropping the writs. Being ready costs money, so Elections BC has saved money by assuming that elections are now every four years.
Preparing for a ballot-box style initiative vote is the same as preparing for a general election; polling stations and clerks are necessary in 85 ridings. In other words, it would take four to six months for Elections BC to be ready for a general election.
Preparing for a ballot-box style initiative vote is the same as preparing for a general election; polling stations and clerks are necessary in 85 ridings. In other words, it would take four to six months for Elections BC to be ready for a general election.
Vancouver, BC – With the governing BC Liberals and opposition New Democrats both choosing a new party leader in the next few months, there has been some public discussion of when the next provincial election should be held. A new Ipsos Reid online poll shows that British Columbians are split about whether the next provincial election should be held on the fixed election date of May 14, 2013, or in 2011 after the BC Liberals and NDP have chosen their new leaders.
Nearly half (48%) of British Columbians say they would prefer to have the next provincial election in 2011, after the BC Liberals and NDP have chosen their new leaders. Slightly fewer (43%) British Columbian's say they would prefer an election on the fixed election date of May 14, 2013.
Interest in a 2011 election is much higher among 2009 NDP voters (63% want an election in 2011) than among 2009 BC Liberal voters (37% want an election on 2009). A majority (57%) of 2009 BC Liberal voters would prefer to stick with the fixed election date (vs. 32% of NDP voters).
February 24th
In a sit down interview with CTV News at Six anchor Tamara Taggart, Clark said she doesn't have a fixed date in mind but it would be in advance of the 2013 provincial election.
BC Conservative Party Feb 27th
“The people of British Columbia deserve to know when the next election will be,” says Keith Roy, Spokesperson for the BC Conservative Party. “Christy Clark should give people a straight answer on when the next provincial election will be held.”
Public Eye ... March 23rd
In an interview, party president Moe Sihota said Surrey-Green Timbers got the thumbs up because, "There's going to be an election in September. We'll be having nominations starting forthwith in ridings right across the province. Each riding will be dealt with differently. And we fully anticipate that there's going to be an election in September. The premier's indication is that she wants to go earlier. And we have to be prepared. So we're starting to mobilize our election activity."
March 23rd ... Christy Clark
"I'm conscious of the fact that people don't want to be going to the polls too many times. And we also have the HST referendum to get through, so we'll work out the timing on all those things once we see what happens with a federal election," she said.
March 24th ...
Pollster Evi Mustel said voter fatigue is a risk.
“But I can certainly see from the perspective of the Liberal Party that there’s a honeymoon period with a new leader, and over time, any missteps can start adding up and start to erode support.
“I can certainly see why they would be anxious to have the election sooner than later.”
March 24th ... Ujjal Dosanjh
“She has increased the support for the Liberal party ... as time passes, sometimes support goes up and sometimes it goes down. She should consolidate the gains she has made and go as soon as possible.”
Time is going to tell if we go to the polls early in BC, however we'll be going to the polls early with a federal election, that we do know.
I'm Alan Forseth in Kamloops
No comments:
Post a Comment