ELECTIONS BC: Chilliwack-Hope and Port Moody-Coquitlam By-elections Called for April 19, 2012

The following media release was sent out by Elections BC 0on Thursday March 22, 2012.  While we all know the by-election has been called, and who is running, this release contained more details on the mechanics of the by-elections:

VICTORIA – By-elections will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2012 to elect Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for the Chilliwack-Hope and Port Moody-Coquitlam electoral districts. The seats became vacant when Port Moody-Coquitlam MLA Iain Black resigned on Monday, October 3, 2011 and Chilliwack-Hope MLA Barry Penner resigned on January 9, 2012.

“British Columbia offers voters an accessible and flexible voting process, ensuring that all citizens who are eligible to vote are able to do so,” said Keith Archer, Chief Electoral Officer.

“Elections BC is committed to administering the voting process in British Columbia with the needs of voters in mind.”

Residents of the two electoral districts will be eligible to vote if they are 18 years of age or older on Thursday, April 19, 2012, (General Voting Day), they are a Canadian citizen and they have lived in B.C. for the past six months.


B.C. voters have more ways to vote than anywhere else in Canada. During the by-elections, voters may vote:

• At their assigned voting place on General Voting Day from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• At advance voting locations in their electoral district from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• At any other general or advance voting place under absentee rules, or

If they can’t make it to a voting place, they may vote at the district electoral office or Vote by Mail during the 28 days from when the election is called until General Voting Day.

“B.C. voters have tremendous access to voting opportunities that reflects the diverse needs of today’s voter from senior to student,” said Archer. “If voters aren’t sure of where to vote I encourage them to contact us.”

Voter registration for the by-elections closes on Thursday, March 29, 2012 at midnight. Visit Elections BC’s secure Online Voter Registration system at www.elections.bc.ca/ovr  to register to vote or to update your voter registration information, or call Elections BC toll-free at 1-800-661-8683.

Voters may also register or update their voter information when they go to vote. Voters must prove their identity and place of residence before voting or registering when voting. The types of identification that can be used are detailed on the Elections BC website at www.elections.bc.ca/index.php/voting/#ID.

Information including dates, times and locations of advance and general voting will be posted on the Elections BC website, published in local newspapers, contained in a by-election pamphlet delivered to all Chilliwack-Hope and Port Moody-Coquitlam households, and on yellow Where to Vote cards mailed to registered voters in the electoral districts.

If you would like specifics on each of the by-elections, click the links below for each riding:

Chilliwack – Hope:  CLICK HERE

Port Moody - Coquitlam:  CLICK HERE

NOTE ... the next ‘scheduled’ General Election in British Columbia will be held on Tuesday, May 14, 2013