uide for andidate representatives - elections bc · schedules for candidate representative...

Guide for Candidate

representativesfor an eleCtion administered durinG a pandemiC

858 (20/09)

858 (20/09)

Elections BC

Guide for Candidate representatives for an eleCtion administered durinG a pandemiC

Table of contentsInformation for candidate representatives . . . . . . 1

COVID-19 and Orders of the CEO . . . . . . . 1Privacy . . . . . . . . . . . 1

General information . . . . . . . . . . 2Appointment . . . . . . . . . . 2Declaration of secrecy . . . . . . . . . 2Identification . . . . . . . . . . 2Voting by candidate representatives . . . . . . . 2

Health and safety information . . . . . . . . 3Limits on number of candidate representatives at a voting place . . 3Schedules for candidate representative attendance at voting places . . 3Voting place safety measures . . . . . . . . 4 Requirements of Candidate Representatives related to health and safety . 5Location of candidate representatives in the voting place . . . 5

Voting information . . . . . . . . . . 7Voting hours . . . . . . . . . . 7Voter qualifications . . . . . . . . . 8Voter identification . . . . . . . . . 8The ballot . . . . . . . . . . . 9Voting procedures . . . . . . . . . . 10Special situations . . . . . . . . . . 13Voters needing assistance . . . . . . . . 13

Duties and responsibilities . . . . . . . . . 14Responsibilities . . . . . . . . . . 14Presence of candidates . . . . . . . . . 14Conduct of candidate representatives in voting places . . . 14Duties before the start of voting . . . . . . . 15Challenging a voter . . . . . . . . . 15Duties at close of voting . . . . . . . . . 15Challenging a counting decision . . . . . . . 16

Election advertising and campaigning restrictions . . . . . 17Campaign restrictions . . . . . . . . . 17100–metre no-campaigning zones . . . . . . . 17Campaigning at residential properties . . . . . . 18

Reminders . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Questions? . . . . . . . . . . . 20

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Elections BC |

Information for candidate representatives

This guide provides general information about the role of candidate representatives in the electoral process.

If there is any conflict between this guide and the Election Act or an Order of the Chief Electoral Officer, note that the Act and any applicable Orders are the authoritiatve sources of the rules governing elections in British Columbia.

COVID-19 and Orders of the CEO

The challenges presented by COVID-19 necessitate changes to election processes as currently defined by the Election Act. These changes are necessary to ensure election processes align with public health directives, and to ensure a safe process for all electoral stakeholders, including voters, election workers, and political participants.

Section 280 of the Election Act provides the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) with Order-making authority to address emergencies, extraordinary circumstances and mistakes.

Out of necessity, and because of the unprecedented circumstances of administering an election during a global pandemic, the Chief Electoral Officer expects to exercise their Order-making powers under s. 280 to modify a number of legislated administrative procedures. These orders will be in place for an election held while public health restrictions are still in place.

This guide has been updated to reflect the provisions of the Election Act and Orders of the CEO that will apply during a provincial election held during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Privacy

Elections BC has the authority to collect, use, disclose and dispose of personal information under the Election Act and the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. This information is used to administer provisions of the Election Act.

Candidates are authorized by the Election Act to receive a copy of the voters list for their electoral district from Elections BC, as well as voter participation information. To receive this information, candidates must file a privacy policy with Elections BC. If candidate representatives access this information on behalf of the candidate, they must read and agree to abide by the candidate’s privacy policy.

For information about Elections BC’s privacy policies, please visit elections.bc.ca/privacy or contact Privacy Officer, Elections BC, 1-800-661-8683, [email protected], PO Box 9275, Stn Prov Govt, Victoria BC V8W 9J6.

http://elections.bc.ca/privacy

mailto:privacy%40elections.bc.ca?subject=


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General information

Appointment

A candidate or official agent may appoint candidate representatives (scrutineers) to represent the candidate at voting, voter registration and counting proceedings within the candidate’s electoral district. This appointment must be in writing and all candidate representatives must carry their appointment forms with them.

Other representatives can be appointed to act as runners/messengers. These are candidate representatives who are temporarily present at voting places to convey information to and from those observing voting and voter registration.

Declaration of secrecy

Candidate representatives must check-in with the Supervisory Voting Officer and make a declaration of secrecy upon arrival at the voting place. This declaration is required of all candidate representatives, authorized observers, and election officials to ensure the secrecy of the vote. In an election conducted during the current pandemic, candidate representatives will state this declaration orally to the Supervisory Voting Officer.

Identification

Candidate representatives must have their appointment forms with them when at the voting place and must show them to the Supervisory Voting Officer when asked to do so. All representatives will be issued a lapel badge by the Supervisory Voting Officer. Representatives may write their own name on the badge, but not the name of the political party or candidate they represent. No other visible identification may be worn in a voting place. No campaign materials are permitted in voting places, or within 100 metres of voting places.

Voting by candidate representatives

It is strongly recommended that candidate representatives who will be working on General Voting Day vote at advance voting.

Representatives who wish to vote on General Voting Day at the voting place where they are working, instead of at their assigned voting place, must cast an absentee ballot.

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Elections BC |

Health and safety information

Limits on number of candidate representatives at a voting place

The number of candidate representatives in a voting place will be limited during voting and counting proceedings to help maintain physical distancing and follow public health rules during the pandemic.

At least two candidate representatives can be present at any one time. District Electoral Officers will decide the maximum number of candidate representatives who can safely observe voting and counting proceedings based on public health restrictions and the capacity constraints of each voting place.

For voting proceedings, the maximum number of candidate representatives will take into account the available floor space and layout relative to the number of voting stations and election officials. If the occupancy limit of a voting place is reached, voters will be required to line up outside.

The capacity of a voting place for candidate representatives during initial count will generally be higher, because voters will not be present during counting. There may also be limits on the number of candidate representatives who can observe during final count.

Schedules for candidate representative attendance at voting places

District Electoral Officers will notify candidates of voting place capacity limits for voting and counting proceedings after nominations close. District Electoral Officers will work with candidates to develop schedules for candidate representatives to observe voting and counting processes at each advance and general voting place in their district and in the space used for final count, if necessary. If agreement on a schedule cannot be reached, District Electoral Officers will select by lot the candidates who can have scrutineers present for a given time period at a voting place. Every effort will be made to ensure that all candidates have an opportunity for their representatives to observe voting at each voting place on each voting day.

A sample voting observation schedule is provided below. This schedule uses the same time frames as the “bingo” sheets used by voting officers to record voter participation on General Voting Day. In this example, there are seven candidates (labelled A through G), and each has an opportunity to have a representative observe for at least one of the time periods. Three candidates representatives have an opportunity to observe during two separate periods.


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Sample voting observation schedule - General voting place 1

Time period Candidate Rep Space 1

Candidate Rep Space 2

8 – 9:59 a.m. Rep for Candidate A Rep for Candidate B10 a.m. – 12:59 p.m. Rep for Candidate C Rep for Candidate D1 – 3:59 p.m. Rep for Candidate E Rep for Candidate F4 – 6:59 p.m. Rep for Candidate G Rep for Candidate C7 – 8 p.m. Rep for Candidate A Rep for Candidate E

To avoid potential conflict at the voting place and to ensure that Supervisory Voting Officers can focus on the voting proceedings, Supervisory Voting Officers will not approve changes to the schedule developed by the District Electoral Officer and agreed to by candidates. The Supervisory Voting Officer will not permit drop-ins or substitutions. For example, if Party A and Party B are scheduled to have candidate representatives observe from 8 to 9:59 a.m., Party C cannot observe during this time frame even if the candidate representative from Party A or B does not attend.

On General Voting Day, candidate representatives acting as runners can visit a voting place any time during voting proceedings and obtain participation information at the door. For advance voting, participation information is provided electronically.

Voting place safety measures

Elections BC has put in place a number of measures to ensure voting places operate in accordance with current public health guidelines. At a minimum, this means the following measures will be in place:

� Occupancy limits are enforced in order to control risks in the workspace.

� Staff must make an oral declaration of health to their supervisor each day based on symptom criteria set by the BC Center for Disease Control. Staff members who have symptoms of COVID-19, who have tested positive for COVID-19, who have had recent close contacts with a COVID-19 positive person, or who have returned from travel outside of Canada within 14 days must not attend the workplace.

� Appropriate signage (supplied by Elections BC) must be placed at the entryway informing staff and visitors of the occupancy limit and that entry is prohibited if a person is showing symptoms of COVID-19. Additional signage will be placed as necessary in common work areas.

� Physical distancing of 2 metres between individuals in the voting place is required and must be marked out in the voting place and in queuing areas outside.

� Each voting station will be set up with a clear acrylic barrier to protect both election officials and voters.

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Elections BC |

� Election officials who are not working at voting stations with barriers will wear protective masks and face visors.

� Voters will be encouraged to wear masks. Masks will be available for voters who do not have their own.

� Hand sanitizer will be available for use by voters, election officials and candidate representatives. Voters will be asked to sanitize their hands upon entry and exit, and election officials will sanitize their hands regularly throughout the workday.

Requirements of candidate representatives related to health and safety

Unlike voters, candidate representatives will be present in the voting place for an extended period of time. For their own safety and for the safety of others in the voting place, candidate representatives must abide by the direction of the Supervisory Voting Officer at all times while in the voting place. Candidate representatives are required to:

� self-assess for COVID-19 symptoms before entering the voting place

� candidate representatives who are ill or who have COVID-19 symptoms will not be permitted in a voting place

� sanitize their hands, at a minimum, on entry and exit

� ensure physical distancing of two metres at all times while in the voting place, and

� wear a protective mask.

Candidate representatives must also remain in the zone allocated to them within the voting place during voting proceedings.

Location of candidate representatives in the voting place

During voting proceedings, candidate representatives will be seated two metres apart from one another in a designated candidate representative zone. Depending on its capacity, a voting place may have more than one candidate representative zone. The number of candidate representatives per voting place and zone is determined by the District Electoral Officer based on the capacity constraints of the voting place.

Some separation between candidate representatives and voters has always been enforced to ensure that no conversation occurs between the voters and representatives, that the marking of the ballots is completely private, and that a voter does not speak to candidate representative instead of an election official. Additional separation rules will be in place due


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to public health restrictions in order to ensure the safety of everyone in the voting place. Candidate representatives must stay in their zones if voters are present.

Prior to the start of voting proceedings and during the counting proceedings, candidate representatives can move out of the designated zones to more closely observe, as long as the two metre physical distancing requirement is observed at all times.

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Elections BC |

Voting information

Voting hours

The Election Act specifies that advance voting is available from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (local time) for six consecutive days starting eight days before General Voting Day. Since General Voting Day in a general election is a Saturday, this means that advance voting runs from the Friday to Wednesday before General Voting Day. To spread voters out as much as possible across voting days, a seventh day of advance voting will be added by Order of the CEO for an election conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. This day will be added to the front of the advance voting period, so that advance voting runs from the Thursday through Wednesday immediately preceding General Voting Day, as illustrated below.

Sample advance voting calendar for a general election

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday SaturdayAdvance

(added by Order)

Advance Advance

Advance Advance Advance Advance General Voting Day

On General Voting Day, voting takes place from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. (Pacific time).

No one is allowed to vote prior to the official opening time or after closing time. When the voting place closes, only those voters who entered the voting place (or lined up outside the voting place) prior to 8 p.m. are permitted to cast their ballots.

Alternative absentee voting, either at the district electoral office or by voting package, is available during regular office hours from as soon as reasonably possible after the time the election is called (when the writ is issued). Voters may vote at the district electoral office up until 4 p.m. (Pacific time) on General Voting Day.

Applications for voting packages must be made prior to 4 p.m. (Pacific time) on General Voting Day, and completed alternative absentee voting packages must be received by 8 p.m. (Pacific time) on General Voting Day. Packages received after the deadline will not be considered at initial count, final count or any judicial recount. For an election administered under public health restrictions, a CEO Order will designate locations for voters to return their voting package in person, including voting places.

Special voting is administered at acute care hospitals, work camps, etc. In an election held under public health restrictions, this voting will sometimes occur through package requests or by assisted telephone voting as there are restrictions on the ability of election officials and candidate representatives to access these facilities. Special voting opportunities may be held any time but must end no later than 8 p.m. (Pacific time) on General Voting Day.


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Voter qualifications

To register as a voter, a person must meet all the following qualifications:

� 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day

� Canadian citizen

� resident of British Columbia for six months before registration, or for six months as of General Voting Day if an election has been called

� resident of the electoral district in which registration is sought

� not be disqualified from voting

Eligible voters who are not already registered can register in conjunction with voting at any voting opportunity. Voters must prove their identity and place of residence (by either showing acceptable identification or by being vouched for) prior to registering in conjunction with voting, and prior to being issued their ballot.

Voter identification

To prove their identity and place of residence, voters must provide either:

� one document issued by the Government of B.C. or Canada that contains the voter’s name, photograph and residential address, such as a B.C. driver’s licence, B.C. identification card (BCID), or B.C. Services card OR

� one document issued by the Government of Canada, that certifies the voter is registered under the Indian Act (Certificate of Indian Status) OR

� two documents that contain the voter’s name. At least one of the documents must also contain the voter’s residential address. The Chief Electoral Officer has authorized the following types of documents for this purpose:

Government-issue identity documents (e.g. health care card, birth certificate, Social Insurance Number card, passport, citizenship document/certificate, Old Age Security card etc.)

Other government-issue documents (e.g. property tax assessment, income tax assessment notice, government cheque or stub, statement of government employment, insurance benefits paid, Canada Child Tax benefit statement, Statement of Canada Pension Plan benefits, Statement of Old Age Security).

School/college/university-issue document (e.g. admissions letter, report card, transcript, residence acceptance, tuition/fees statement, student card)

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Elections BC |

Other documents � bank/credit card or statement � residential lease/mortgage statement � insurance statement � public transportation pass � utility bill � membership cards

� hospital bracelet/documents � confirmation of residence � provincial election Where to Vote card � prescription bottle � personal cheque

Copies of authorized documents, including photos of documents and electronic versions, are acceptable. Authorized documents that are displayed to the election official on a cell phone or other mobile device will be accepted as original documents. Expired documents will be accepted, provided that the information being verified is accurate.

Vouching

Voters without the necessary identification (ID) can be vouched for by an individual who can produce ID that verifies their identity and residential address and be:

� a registered voter in the applicant’s electoral district, or

� a spouse, parent, grandparent or adult child, adult grandchild, or adult sibling, or

� an individual who has the legal authority to make personal care decisions for the voter.

A candidate representative who is on duty and representing a candidate cannot vouch for a voter.

The ballot

Each ballot has a duplicate number on the counterfoil and stub. The stub remains in the book and the counterfoil remains attached to the ballot until after the voter has marked it. A mark (corresponding to the voter’s number on the voters list for general voting or the Voting Officer’s initials for advance voting and absentee voting) is made on the face of the stub and the counterfoil by the Voting Officer. These marks are to ensure that ballots are returned to the correct ballot box. No identifying mark is placed on the portion of the ballot that is put into the ballot box. Different ballots will be used for Vote by Mail.

In an election conducted under health restrictions, after marking their ballot, the voter holds up the counterfoil for the voting officer to observe through the acrylic barrier. The voting officer confirms that the ballot is the one issued to the voter. The voter then removes the counterfoil and casts their ballot.

The names of the candidates on an ordinary ballot are listed alphabetically by their surnames.

Voters who are voting before the close of nominations or by some absentee voting provisions outside of their own electoral district are provided with a write-in ballot. The voter writes the name of the candidate or registered political party of their choice in the blank space on the ballot.


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Voting procedures

Candidate representatives typically observe voting during the advance voting period or on General Voting Day. While the overall voting process for each voting opportunity is similar, there are some differences depending on whether a voter is voting advance, general or absentee.

During the advance voting period, those who vote within their electoral district are voting advance, while those voting outside their district are voting absentee. All voting stations during the advance voting period will be equipped to serve voters voting advance and absentee, so voters will be directed to the next available station when they arrive at a voting place.

On General Voting Day, voters voting within their electoral district at their assigned voting place vote under the procedures for general voting. They will be directed to their assigned voting station, based on their voting area of residence. Those who do not vote at their assigned place on General Voting Day, whether within or outside their electoral district of residence, are voting absentee. They will be directed to the absentee station.

To vote, all voters must:

� be listed on the voters list, or register to vote with the election official

� present acceptable identification (or be vouched for) to establish their identity and residence before registering or before receiving a ballot

� orally declare that they are entitled to vote and that they have not already voted

The tables on the following pages summarize the check-in and ballot issuing/voting procedures that elections officials will follow during advance voting period and on General Voting Day.

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Guide for Candidate representatives

Voting during the Advance Voting Period

Advance votingIn electoral district of residence

Absentee votingOutside electoral district of residence

Check in procedure

� Look up voter using a laptop computer

� Confirm voter’s identity and residence by checking ID

� Select correct voter record and print labels for voting book

� Ask voter to orally declare entitlement to vote

� (Voting Officer records completion of declaration in voting book) Announce voter’s name



� Select correct voter record and print labels for certification envelope and voting book

� Ask voter to orally declare entitlement to vote

� (Voting Officer records completion of declaration in voting book) Announce voter’s name

Ballot issuing/voting procedure

� Initial stub and counterfoil of ballot � Remove stub, leaving counterfoil

attached to ballot � Fold and issue ballot with counterfoil

to voter � Direct voter to screen with instructions

to mark an “x” or tick mark on ballot in circle opposite candidate of choice

� When voter returns, confirm ballot received is the one issued, ask voter to remove counterfoil and ask voter to place ballot in ballot box

� Initial stub and counterfoil of write-in ballot

� Remove stub, leaving counterfoil attached to ballot

� Fold and issue write-in ballot with counterfoil, and list of candidates, to voter

� Direct voter to screen with instructions to write name of candidate or political party of choice in blank spot on ballot

� When voter returns, confirm ballot received is the one issued, remove counterfoil and place ballot in secrecy envelope, then in voter’s certification envelope

� Ask voter to place certification envelope, with ballot enclosed, in ballot box


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Voting on General Voting DayGeneral voting

At assigned voting placeAbsentee voting

Not at assigned voting place

Check in procedure � Find voter in voting book � Confirm voter’s identity and residence

by checking ID � Ask voter to orally declare entitlement

to vote (Voting Officer records completion of declaration in voting book) Announce voter’s name and voter number



� Select correct voter record and print labels for certification envelope and voting book

� Ask voter to orally declare entitlement to vote (Voting Officer records completion of declaration on certification envelope)

� Announce voter’s name

Ballot issuing/voting procedure � Write voter number on stub and

counterfoil of ballot � Circle voter number on “bingo” sheet � Remove stub, leaving counterfoil

attached to ballot � Fold and issue ballot with counterfoil

to voter � Direct voter to screen with instructions

to mark an “x” or tick mark on ballot in circle opposite candidate of choice

� When voter returns, confirm ballot received is the one issued, ask voter to remove counterfoil and ask voter to place ballot in ballot box

� Initial stub and counterfoil of ballot (ordinary ballot for in district, write-in for out-of-district)

� Remove stub, leaving counterfoil attached to ballot

� Fold and issue ballot with counterfoil (and list of candidates if required) to voter

� Direct voter to screen with instructions to: Д mark an “x” or tick mark on ballot

in circle opposite candidate of choice,

OR Д if voting outside electoral district,

to write name of candidate or political party of choice in blank spot on write-in ballot

� When voter returns, confirm ballot received is the one issued, remove counterfoil and place ballot in secrecy envelope, then in voter’s certification envelope

� Ask voter to place certification envelope ballot in ballot box

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Elections BC |

Special situations

A voter who accepts a ballot, but refuses to mark the ballot and returns it to the Voting Officer is deemed to have voted. The unmarked ballot shall be placed in the ballot box, and will be rejected during the initial count.

If a voter spoils a ballot, it may be returned to the Voting Officer and a replacement obtained. The spoiled ballot is then set aside in a separate envelope. Spoiled ballots are not placed in the ballot box, but will be stored separately and accounted for during ballot reconciliation.

Voters needing assistance

People who are unable to mark a ballot because of a physical disability or difficulties with reading or writing can be assisted in marking their ballot. Voters needing assistance to vote may be assisted by an election official or an individual accompanying the voter. Candidates and candidate representatives are prohibited from assisting a voter in marking a ballot. A template is available for use by visually impaired voters who wish to mark their own ballots.

Other than election officials, an individual may only assist one voter in an election unless those being assisted are members of the individual’s family, in which case they may assist more than one. In order to assist a voter in marking a ballot, the assistant must first take a “Solemn Declaration of Individual Assisting Voter to Mark Ballot”. Voters are also permitted to have translators assist them in being able to read the ballot and instructions for voting. A translator must also take a solemn declaration. In an election conducted during the current pandemic, these solemn declarations will be stated orally to the election official at the voting place rather than in writing.


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Duties and responsibilities

Responsibilities

Candidate representatives are appointed to observe voting and voter registration in conjunction with voting, to ensure that the requirements of the Election Act and related CEO Orders are followed and to observe the counting of ballots to ensure that the counting is consistent and fair.

Candidate representatives are responsible for following the direction of the Supervisory Voting Officer at all times while in the voting place. The Supervisory Voting Officer will require the candidate representative to follow the requirements related to health and safety.

Presence of candidates

Candidates are not permitted to be present at any place while voting is being conducted — except to vote. This means that candidates cannot visit voting places to thank their representatives, etc. Candidates should not be present at a district electoral office while alternative absentee voting is being conducted, unless there to conduct business with the District Electoral Officer.

Conduct of candidate representatives in voting places

Candidate representatives are present in the voting place as observers. Other than when a representative presents an official objection, communication between representatives and election officials shall only occur when there are no voters at the voting stations.

For an election conducted during public health restrictions, a CEO Order will prohibit candidate representatives from inspecting voting books, lists of voters or lists of voter numbers being used in voting proceedings.

On General Voting Day, candidate representatives may request a list showing the voter numbers of everyone who has voted at general voting. Also known as a “bingo sheet”, this list is available from Supervisory Voting Officers periodically during General Voting Day. Candidate representatives who want to pick up the “bingo sheet” should identify themselves to the Information Officer or the Supervisory Voting Officer on arrival at the voting place.

Cell phones and other electronic devices may be used in the voting place silently (e.g. emailing, texting, reading), providing what candidate representatives are communicating is not visible to voters and not directed to voters. Candidate representatives must leave the voting place to carry out audible conversations.

Supervisory Voting Officers may allow a candidate representative to take photos of the list of voters who voted on General Voting Day (bingo sheet). The photo must be taken discreetly

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and only in the presence of the Supervisory Voting Officer or their designate. Other than this, candidate representatives must not take photos or videos in a voting place.

Candidate representatives are asked not to park their personal vehicles at the voting place in order to ensure ease of access for voters.

Duties before the start of voting

Candidate representatives assigned to the first shift on General Voting Day should report to the Supervisory Voting Officer (presenting their appointment forms) no later than 7:45 a.m. (Pacific time) in order to take a solemn declaration of secrecy and receive their lapel badges.

Prior to the voting place being opened, candidate representatives should ensure that the ballot box is empty and that it is then sealed so that it cannot be opened without breaking the seals. Candidate representatives may wish to sign or otherwise mark the seal and should bring their own Sharpie-style pen for this purpose. Representatives may inspect the voting screens to ensure adequate provisions for secrecy.

Challenging a voter

A voter may only be challenged by a candidate representative before their application for voter registration is accepted by an authorized election official or before a ballot is issued to the voter by a Voting Officer.

A candidate representative may object to a ballot being issued or a voter being registered, for any appropriate reason. The candidate representative must respect physical distancing requirements at all times while making the objection. The candidate representative may ask for assistance from an Information Officer or the Supervisory Voting Officer to make their objection known to the Voting Officer. The Voting Officer must note the objection in the voting book or on the voter registration application.

A voter can make an oral solemn declaration, be vouched for, or provide additional identification to satisfy the election official of their identity. The election official’s decision is final.

Duties at close of voting

The Voting Officer, following the close of voting, has the sole authority to decide whether to accept or reject a ballot. Additional election officials known as counting support officials may assist in sorting and organizing ballots into piles for each candidate, prior to the voting officer considering each ballot.


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Ballots must be rejected if any of the following apply:

� the ballot used is not one officially supplied

� the ballot is unmarked or voided

� the voter has written on or marked the ballot in a way that identifies the voter

� the voter has marked the ballot for more than one candidate or referendum option

� the intent of the voter is not clear

Certification envelopes are not opened at the close of voting. The number of envelopes cast will be counted and reported, but the ballots in certification envelopes are counted by the District Electoral Officer at final count. In a general election, this is held in the district electoral office at least 13 days after General Voting Day or at a time authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer. In an election conducted under public health restrictions, the length of time between initial count and final count may be longer due to the anticipated high volume of ballots cast through vote-by-mail. Mail-in ballots are counted at final count.

Following initial count, each candidate representative may request a copy of the ballot account showing the votes counted for each candidate. Representatives should be satisfied that the ballots are put in their proper parcel envelopes and sealed. These envelopes are then placed in the ballot box, which is sealed for delivery to the District Electoral Officer.

Challenging a counting decision

Candidate representatives should watch the sorting and counting of the ballots and make note of any ballots they object to. Only election officials are permitted to handle ballots and other election documents.

If a candidate representative objects to the acceptance or rejection of a ballot, the election official must record the objection. However, the voting officer’s decision is final and may only be overturned by the District Electoral Officer during final count.

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Election advertising and campaigning restrictions

Campaign restrictions

There are certain restrictions relating to advertising and campaigning during voting periods and near voting places.

While voting is being conducted, election advertising that promotes or opposes a candidate or political party, either directly or indirectly, cannot be conducted by means of a public address system or loudspeaker that is within hearing distance of the voting place.

On General Voting Day, no election advertising may be published, broadcast or transmitted to the public before the close of all voting stations in the electoral district. This does not include:

� a notice of an event the leader of a registered political party plans to attend

� an invitation to meet or hear the leader of registered political party

� a message transmitted to the public on the internet before General Voting Day that is not changed before the close of voting stations

� the distribution of pamphlets, or the posting of signs, posters or banners outside of the 100 metre zones

� a message transmitted to the public on the internet for the sole purpose of encouraging voters to vote in the election.

100–metre no-campaigning zones

District electoral officesDuring a campaign period (from when the writs are issued to the end of voting on General Voting Day), a candidate’s campaign must not post, display or disseminate, in or within 100 metres of the building where the district electoral office is located, any election advertising or materials that identifies a candidate, their party or their constituency association. An exception is made for materials authorized by the District Electoral Officer.

If any contravening material is posted or displayed within the 100-metre no-campaigning zone, the District Electoral Officer or another election official authorized by them may enter the property where the materials are located, and remove, cover or otherwise obscure the materials from view.


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As alternative absentee voting is being conducted at the district electoral office, it is important that this 100–metre no-campaigning zone be enforced to ensure that voters are provided with a neutral environment in which to vote.

Advance and General Voting placesWhile advance voting or general voting is being conducted at a voting place, there is a 100-metre no-campaigning zone around the building where voting is being conducted. A candidate’s campaign must not post, display or disseminate any election advertising or materials that identifies a candidate, their party or their constituency association. Furthermore, candidate representatives must not canvass, solicit or otherwise attempt to influence how a voter votes, including wearing campaign t-shirts, buttons, etc. or distributing campaign materials within the 100-metre no-campaigning zone.

It is an offence to break these election advertising and campaigning rules, and may be subject to significant penalties.

Campaigning at residential properties

The Election Act establishes that during the campaign period, landlords, strata corporations and housing cooperatives must not unreasonably restrict access to residential properties by a candidate or authorized canvassers for the purpose of canvassing voters and distributing candidate information between the hours of 9 a.m. and 9 p.m.

All canvassers must be authorized in writing by the candidate, and must produce a copy of their authorization and government issued photo ID at the request of a resident or an individual acting on behalf of the landlord, strata corporation or housing cooperative.

The Election Act, Residential Tenancy Act, and the Manufactured Home Park Tenancy Act do not grant candidates and their representatives a right of access to residential properties outside of the campaign period. To help reduce the spread of COVID-19, landlords may also enforce temporary restrictions to support social distancing guidelines in common or shared areas. More information on these temporary restrictions can be found on the Residential Tenancy Branch website: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/residential-tenancies/covid-19

The requirements under the Election Act, Residential Tenancy Act and Manufactured Home Park Act, do not apply to other types of housing facilities, such as assisted living facilities, public or private hospitals, or accommodations owned by an educational institution.

http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/residential-tenancies/covid-19

http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/housing-tenancy/residential-tenancies/covid-19

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Elections BC |

Reminders

Candidate representatives must not wear or carry any badge or insignia that would identify them as a supporter of a candidate or a political party, other than that provided by an election official.

Candidate representatives must be seated in designated zones and must not exceed the maximum number set for the voting place by the District Electoral Officer.

The Supervisory Voting Officer will not allow candidate representatives who are not scheduled to observe voting or counting proceedings into the voting place.

Candidate representatives must comply with physical distancing restrictions and must wear protective masks and wash their hands with hand sanitizer on entry and exit.

Candidate representatives must not interfere with the voting or voter registration in conjunction with voting processes.

No campaign materials are permitted in voting places, or within 100 metres of voting places during voting hours.

Note: Should any difference of opinion arise between an election official and a candidate representative, the matter may be directed to the District Electoral Officer for resolution. The resulting decision of the District Electoral Officer shall be final.


20 | Elections BC

Questions?For more information

Phone toll-free 1-800-661-8683 / TTY 1-888-456-5448

or contact

Elections BCMailing address:

PO Box 9275 Stn Prov GovtVictoria BC V8W 9J6Phone: 250-387-5305

Fax: 250-387-3578Toll-free Fax: 1-866-466-0665

Email: [email protected]: [email protected]

mailto:electionsbc%40elections.bc.ca?subject=

http://[email protected]

Guide for Candidate

representativesfor an eleCtion administered durinG a pandemiC

858 (20/09)

858 (20/09)

uide for andidate representatives - elections bc · schedules for candidate representative...

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