How to register to vote in B.C.'s election

Elections BCis reminding all eligible voters in British Columbia to make sure they are registered for the upcoming provincial election on May 9.

Keith Archer, the chief electoral officer with Elections BC, says while 95 per cent of British Columbians are on the voting list, there are certain voters who are under-represented.

These include youth aged 18 to 24, First Nations members, people who have recently moved, homeless electors, and people from ethnic communities.

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Archer said his team is specifically targeting these individuals, and he said he hopes his efforts will increase voter turnout.

"There has been a decline in voter turnout," he explained.

"Up until the mid-1990s, around 70 to 72 per cent of eligible voters would cast a vote. Now it's closer to 55 per cent."

Who can vote?

Canadian citizens, 18 years or older on election day, who have lived in British Columbia for the last six months and are registered to vote can vote in the provincial election.

Elections BChas sent voter registration notices to every residential address in B.C. The notices show the voters registered at that address. If the information is incorrect or needs updating, residents can update their information at Elections BC's online voter registration websiteor call 1-800-661-8683.

Important voting dates

Last day to register

On April 11, registration by phone and online closes.

If you miss this deadline, you will still be able to register at the time of voting at a voting place.

Advance voting

• Saturday April 29 to Sunday April 30 (from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local time)
• Wednesday May 3 to Saturday May 6 (from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. local tme)

General voting

• Tuesday May 9 (from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. PT)

Where can you vote?

In B.C., all voters can vote in any voting place in the province for their specific district of residence.

Voting places are still being confirmed, but an updated list will be available on the Elections BC's website closer to the election.

Vote by mail

Eligible voters can vote by mail. Vote-by-mail packages can be requested through the Elections BCwebsite, by calling 1-800- 661-8683, or at a district electoral office.

If you are picking up your package at a district electoral office, you must do so by 4 p.m. PT on May 9, 2017.

All vote-by-mail packages must be returned to the district electoral office that issued the package by 8 p.m. PT on May 9, 2017.

If you are outside of the province or country, it is advised you request your vote by mail package well ahead of the deadline so it can be returned by the deadline.

Who are the nominees?

Tuesday, April 18, at 1 p.m. PT, is the candidate nomination deadline. You can find an updated list of standing nominees on the elections.bc.ca website.

You can find out more about your specific electoral district through our Get to know a B.C. riding homepage.

With files from The Early Edition