Voters cast ballots in two Vancouver byelections

It's byelection day in two Vancouver ridings as voters head to the polls to replace two MLAs. Polls are open from 8 a.m. PT to 8 p.m. PT on Wednesday.

The Vancouver-Burrard seat became available when Liberal Lorne Mayencourt resigned to run for the Conservatives in the recent federal election. He lost.

Next door, the Vancouver-Fairview seat became vacant when New Democrat Gregor Robertson resigned to run for mayor of Vancouver in the Nov. 15 civic election.

Wednesday's winners won't have long to enjoy their victory as the next provincial election is already scheduled for May 12, 2009.

Wrong directions sent

Before heading to the polls, voters should ensure they have the right locations listed on their "Where to Vote" cards.

The incorrect locations of four voting locations for the Vancouver-Fairview electoral district were sent to some voters, according to Elections B.C., which later published revised cards and sent them to the voters who received incorrect information.

The four corrected locations are:

• CDN Network for Intl Surgery, 105-1985 West Broadway.
• Educacentre College, 896 West 8th Ave.
• Grace Vancouver Church, 1696 West 7th Ave.
• Parish of St. George Anglican Church, 2950 Laurel St.

Who can vote?

In order to vote in an election for an electoral district, an individual must meet the following criteria:

• Be a Canadian citizen.
• Be 18 years or older on election day.
• Be a resident of the electoral district.
• Have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months immediately before election day.
• Be registered as a voter for the electoral district or register as such in conjunction with voting.
• Not be disqualified by the Election Act or any other enactment from voting in the election or be otherwise disqualified by law.