How to vote in the upcoming local elections

So you want to cast a vote in the upcoming local elections in October, but you’ve never even registered to vote? It may be too late to register with Elections BC (deadline was August 18) but it’s still possible to vote. Let’s go through the steps together.

For starters, if you’ve registered with Elections Canada before, you should already be on the list, since the agency shares voter information with provincial government agencies:

Do you share voter registration information with other agencies or groups?

Yes. Elections Canada shares voter registration information from the National Register of Electors with all provincial and territorial electoral agencies, for electoral purposes only. Sharing this information improves the accuracy of lists of electors, making it easier to vote. It also reduces duplication, saving taxpayer money.

As required by the Canada Elections Act, we also provide lists of electors (containing name, address and unique identifier number) to candidates, members of Parliament and registered and eligible political parties, who may use the information for specific, authorized purposes. Refer to the Guidelines for Use of the Lists of Electors to learn more.

Note that we do not share voter information with any other organizations, including social media platforms and media.

Source: Elections Canada

Likewise, if you’ve already registered with Elections BC for the purpose of voting in provincial elections, you’re all set. If you’re not registered at all, however, you need to do so with your local government, in this case the city of Victoria:

How to Register to Vote

The City of Victoria uses the most current available provincial list of voters prepared by Elections BC. If you are listed on the provincial voters list, you should be on the City’s voter list. 

If you qualify as a resident elector but are not on the provincial voters list, you may register:

• when you vote at Advance Voting or at a General Voting Day voting place
• when you vote by mail

Two pieces of ID are required to register to vote. Please see Identity Documents below to know what ID to bring.

Identity Documents

The following are valid identity documents for proving voter identity.

• If you are a registered voter (on the voters list), you will need one piece of ID.  
• If you are registering to vote at a voting place, you will be required to present two pieces of ID (one must have your signature).

Source: City of Victoria

The full list of accepted identify documents is available on the municipality’s website and omitted for sake of brevity.

Now what if you’re homeless? It’s still possible to register to vote under the Election Act if you stay at a shelter:

Rules for determining where an individual is resident

32(6) For the purposes of this Act, an individual who has no dwelling place may register as a voter on the basis that the individual’s place of residence is a shelter, hostel or similar institution that provides food, lodging or other social services.

Source: Election Act

While I’ve never registered to vote while homeless, I managed to open an account at VanCity using the address of an overnight shelter I was staying at, so the way I see it you don’t even need a mailing address, only a residential address.

Then here’s the ultimate catch: what if you don’t have any identification? It’s still possible to cast a vote if you get a registered voter to vouch that you’re eligible to vote:

Voters who don’t have identification can have their identity vouched for by another person. The voucher must be:

• a registered voter resident in the voter’s electoral district, or
• a spouse, parent, grandparent, adult child, adult grandchild or adult sibling of the voter, or
• a person with the authority to make personal care decisions for the voter.

Vouchers must provide acceptable identification. The voter and the voucher must each make a solemn declaration confirming the voter’s identity and residential address.

A voucher who is not the voter’s relative or personal care authority may only vouch for one voter. A relative may vouch for any voters who are members of their family. A personal care authority may vouch for all voters over whom they have written authority.

A voter who has been vouched for may not vouch for another voter in that election.

Source: Elections BC

Enjoy voting in local elections for the first time!