Local Government Elections Calendar

Significant Dates 2011 - 2012

Election Calendar

April 2011
May 2011
June 2011
July 2011
August 2011
September 2011
October 2011
November 2011
December 2011
January 2012
February 2012
March 2012
April 2012

• Last day to meet six month B.C. residency requirement for candidates within the nomination period.
  
  A person must have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months immediately before he or she is nominated. Individuals who move to British Columbia after this date will not be qualified as electors on the last day of the nomination period, and therefore will not be qualified to run for office.
  
  If the nomination period is extended due to insufficient candidates, the last day is April 16, 2011.
  
  Local Government Act s.66(1)(c) and s.74(2)

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May, 2011
Tuesday, May 17 - Elector B.C. Residency Deadline

• Last day to meet six month B.C. residency requirement for electors registering on general voting day.
  
  A person must have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months immediately before he or she registers as an elector. Individuals who move to British Columbia after this date will not be qualified as electors as of general voting day, which is the last opportunity to register as an elector.
  
  Individuals who move to British Columbia shortly before this date may not be able to register or vote at an advance voting opportunity, depending on the precise dates of the move and the advance voting opportunity.
  
  Local Government Act s.50(1)(c) and 51(1)(d)

June, 2011

• No requirements under the Local Government Act.

July, 2011

• No requirements under the Local Government Act.

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August, 2011
Monday, August 8 - Election Bylaw Deadline

• Last day to adopt election bylaw or bylaw amendment as necessary, if new bylaw or amendment is necessary.
  
  An election bylaw is one that deals with any matter authorized under Part 3 of the Local Government Act, including use of the provincial voter's list, use of voting machines, advance voting opportunities, and regulation of election signs.
  
  Changes or new provisions that are adopted after this date do not apply to the 2011 general local election.
  
  Local Government Act s.39(1)

Sunday, August 14 - Elector Organization Endorsement Eligibility Deadline

• Last day for establishment of an elector organization that intends to endorse a candidate.
  
  Elector organizations that do not have at least 50 electors as members on this date cannot have their endorsement of a candidate noted on the ballot.
  
  Local Government Act s.79(1)(a)
  
  

Sunday, August 28 - Start of Period for Notice of End of Advance Elector Registration

• First day for giving notice that advance elector registration will close on September 27.
  
  At least two notices must be published in the period from August 28 to September 20. Note that advance elector registration is only available if the local government uses a list of registered electors.
  
  Local Government Act s.56(5)

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September, 2011
Sunday, September 4 - Start of Period for Notice of Nominations

• First day for giving notice of the nomination period.
  
  At least two notices must be published in the period from September 4 to September 27.
  
  Local Government Act s.70(1)

Sunday, September 4 - Start of Period for Notice of List of Registered Electors

• First day for giving notice that:
• a copy of the list of registered electors will be available for public inspection at the local government offices starting October 4 until the end of general voting;
• an elector may request that his or her personal information be omitted from or obscured on the list; and
• an objection to the registration of a person as an elector may be made between October 4 and 4 p.m. on October 14.

At least two notices must be published in the period from September 4 to September 27.

Note: the list of electors, and the opportunity to object to registration of an elector, are only available if the local government uses a list of registered electors.

Local Government Act s.62

Tuesday, September 20 - End of Period for Notice of Close of Advance Elector Registration

• Last day for notice of the closed period for advance elector registration.
  
  At least two notices must be published in the period from August 28 to September 20.
  
  Note: advance elector registration is only available if the local government uses a list of registered electors.
  
  Local Government Act s.56(5)

Tuesday, September 27 - End of Period for Notice of Nominations

• Last day for giving notice of the nomination period.
  
  At least two notices must be published in the period from September 4 to September 27.
  
  Local Government Act s.70(1)

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Tuesday, September 27 - End of Period for Notice of List of Registered Electors

• Last day for giving notice that:
• a copy of the list of registered electors will be available for public inspection at the local government offices until the end of general voting;
• an elector may request that his or her personal information be omitted from or obscured on the list; and
• an objection to the registration of a person as an elector may be made between October 4 and 4:00 p.m. on October 14.

At least two notices must be published in the period from September 4 to September 27.

Local Government Act s.62(8) - s.64(2)

Note: the list of electors, and the opportunity to object to registration of an elector, are only available if the local government uses a list of registered electors.

Tuesday, September 27 - Last Day for Advance Elector Registration

• Advance elector registration closes.
  
  Individuals wishing to register as an elector for the 2011 general local elections after this date must do so in conjunction with voting.
  
  Note: some local governments do not provide advance registration – all electors in those jurisdictions register on the day of voting.
  
  Local Government Act s.56(4)

Tuesday, September 27 - Last Day for Withdrawal of Property Elector Consent

• Last day for withdrawing consent for non-resident property elector.
  
  A registered owner who has consented to the registration of another registered owner of a property as a non-resident property elector in relation to the shared property may withdraw the consent by delivering a written withdrawal to the municipality or regional district.
  
  If the number of individuals who have given consent falls below a majority of the registered owners on or before this date, the person registered as the non-resident property elector in relation to the property, ceases to be entitled to be registered and vote in the 2011 general local election. If this occurs after September 27, the person registered ceases to be entitled to be registered and vote after the 2011 general local election.
  
  Local Government Act s.51(8)

Wednesday, September 28 - Adoption of Provincial Voters List

• Provincial list of voters becomes local government list of resident electors, if applicable. Last day for automatic inclusion on the Provincial voters list.
  
  A local government can choose to use the Provincial voters list, its own list of registered electors, or to dispense with a list altogether. The choice must be contained in an election bylaw adopted no later than August 8 in order to apply to the 2011 general local election.
  
  Local Government Act s.59

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October, 2011
Tuesday, October 4 - Start of Nomination Period and Challenge Period

• Nomination period begins at 9:00 a.m.

Nominations are effective upon delivery to the chief election officer or a person designated by the chief election officer. Nominations are available for public inspection from the time of delivery, and may be challenged from the time of delivery until October 14.

Local Government Act s.69(1)

• A challenge to a nomination may be made at anytime between the delivery of the nomination and 4 p.m. on October 14.
  
  Local Government Act s.75(2)
  

Tuesday, October 4 – Start of Inspection of List of Registered Electors and Start of Objections to Elector Registration

• List of electors available for public inspection at the local government offices from October 4 through the close of general voting day on November 19. The list of electors, and the opportunity to object to registration of an elector, are only available if the local government uses a list of registered electors to record advance elector registrations. Public inspection of the list of registered electors does not include entitlement to a copy of the list.

Local Government Act s.62

• Period for objections to elector registration begins. An objection to the registration of a person as an elector may be made between October 4 and October 14.

Local Government Act s.64(2)

Tuesday, October 11 - Start of Period for Notice of Advance Voting

• First day to give notice of required advance voting which must be held on November 9.
  
  At least two notices must be published in the period from October 11 to November 2 for the required advance voting opportunity on November 9. At least two notices must also be published with respect to other advance voting opportunities between 30 and six days before the voting opportunity.
  
  Local Government Act s.97(6)

Friday, October 14 - End of Nomination Period

• Nomination period ends at 4:00 p.m.

Nomination documents may be delivered by hand, by mail or other delivery service or by facsimile transmission with originals to follow. If the originals of nomination documents delivered by facsimile transmission are not received by the chief election officer by the end of office hours on October 21, the person nominated is deemed to have withdrawn from being a candidate in the election.

Local Government Act s.69(1) & 73(5)

• Following the end of nomination period, all nominees are declared candidates.
  
  If there are fewer candidates than positions to be elected, the nomination period is extended to October 17 at 4:00 p.m., at which time all subsequent nominees are also declared candidates. Notice of the extension of nominations must be published if reasonably possible.
  
  Local Government Act s.74

Friday, October 14 - End of Objections to Elector Registrations

• Period of objections to elector registrations ends at 4:00 p.m.
  
  Note: the list of electors, and the opportunity to object to registration of an elector, are only available if the local government uses a list of registered electors to record advance elector registrations.
  
  Local Government Act s.64(2)

Monday, October 17 – End of Extended Nomination Period

• If the nominations period was extended, the deadline for challenge of nominations is also extended, to 4:00 p.m. on October 21.

Local Government Act s.74(2)

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Tuesday, October 18 - End of Nomination Challenge Period

• Period to challenge a nomination with the court ends at 4:00 p.m.

Local Government Act s.75(2)

Wednesday, October 19 - Elector Local Residency/Ownership Deadline

• Last day to move or buy property to qualify as an elector.
  
  A person must have been a resident of a jurisdiction for at least 30 days immediately before he or she registers as a resident elector with that local government. A person must have been an owner of property within a jurisdiction for at least 30 days immediately before he or she registers as a non-resident property elector with that local government.
  
  Individuals who move or buy property after this date will not be qualified as electors as of general voting day, which is the last opportunity to register as an elector.
  
  Individuals who move or buy property shortly before this date may not be able to register or vote at an advance voting opportunity, depending on the precise dates of the move and the advance voting opportunity.
  
  Local Government Act s.50(1)(d)
  
  Local Government Act s.51(1)(e)

Thursday, October 20 - Start of Period for Notice of Election

• First day to publish notice of election. At least two notices must be published in the period from October 20 to November 12 for the general voting opportunity on November 19.
  
  Local Government Act s.77(1).

Friday, October 21 - Finalization of Candidates

• Deadlines at 4:00 p.m.:

• court decision on challenge of nomination. If a nomination is challenged, the court can:

• confirm the person as a candidate or declare that the person is no longer a candidate;
• declare that the person is or is not entitled to have the usual name indicated in the nomination documents used on the ballot;
• declare that the election organization named in the nomination documents is or is not entitled to have its endorsement included on the ballot.

Local Government Act s.75(7);

• withdrawal of candidates. A candidate cannot withdraw after 4:00 p.m. on this date unless it is approved by the Minister responsible for the Local Government Act.

Local Government Act s.80(1);

• withdrawal of elector organization endorsement. An elector organization can withdraw its endorsement or a candidate can withdraw the request to have an elector organization endorsement appear on the ballot by delivering signed documents to the chief election officer.

Local Government Act s.79(6);

• deadline for receiving originals of faxed nomination documents at end of office hours.
  
  Local Government Act s.73(5)

Monday, October 24 - Declaration of Election by Voting or Acclamation

• Declaration of election by voting or acclamation, as applicable, at 4:00 p.m.
  
  If there are more candidates for an office than there are to be elected for the office, the chief election officer must declare that an election by voting is to be held. If there are fewer candidates, the chief election officer must declare the candidate or candidates elected by acclamation.
  
  Local Government Act s.76

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November, 2011
Wednesday, November 2 - End of Period for Notice of Required Advance Voting

• Last day to give notice of required advance voting which must be held on November 9.
  
  At least two notices must be published in the period from October 11 to November 2 for the required advance voting opportunity on November 9. At least two notices must also be published with respect to other advance voting opportunities between 30 and six days before the voting opportunity.
  
  Local Government Act s.97(6)

Wednesday, November 9 - REQUIRED ADVANCE VOTING OPPORTUNITY

• Required Advance Voting Opportunity from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in all jurisdictions.
  
  An elector can vote at an advance voting opportunity even if they will be present in the jurisdiction on general election day (November 19).
  
  Local Government Act s.97(2)

Saturday, November 12 - End of Period for Notice of Election

• Last day to publish notice of election.
  
  Local Government Act s.77(1)
  
  At least two notices must be published in the period from October 20 to November 12 for the general voting opportunity on November 19.

Saturday, November 19 - GENERAL VOTING DAY

• General Voting Day from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. in all jurisdictions.
  
  Local Government Act s.36
  
  
• Mail ballots must be received by the chief election officer by 8 p.m. to be counted. Late mail ballots are not considered, regardless of postmark or other proof of effort to deliver.
  
  Local Government Act s.100(9)
  
  
• The chief election officer may announce the preliminary election results prior to the declaration of the official election results. The declaration of official results must occur by 4:00 p.m. on November 23.
  
  Local Government Act s.134
  
  
• Public inspection of list of electors ends at 8 p.m.
  
  The list of electors is only available if the local government uses a list of registered electors to record advance elector registrations. Public inspection of the list of registered electors does not include entitlement to a copy of the list.
  
  Local Government Act s.62(3) & (10)

Monday, November 21 - Start of Advance Registration for Next Election

• Advance elector registration re-opens for a local government that chooses to use a list of registered electors.
  
  Local Government Act s.56(4)

Wednesday, November 23 - Last Day for Declaration of Official Election Results

• Deadline to declare official election results is 4:00 p.m.
  
  The chief election officer may make the declaration of official election results at any time in the period between the close of general voting and this time and date.
  
  Local Government Act s.136(1)

Wednesday, November 23 – Start of Period to Apply for Judicial Recount

• First day for applications for judicial recount, if official election results declared on last possible day.
  
  The time period during which an application may be made is limited to the time between the declaration of official election results and November 28.
  
  Local Government Act s.138(3)

Wednesday, November 23 - Start of Public Inspection of Voting Day Materials

• First day to inspect voting day documents, if official election results declared on last possible day.
  
  Records and other documents generated on voting day materials are available for public inspection from the time of the declaration of the official election results until 30 days after that date. If the official results are declared on the last possible day, these materials are available from November 23 to December 23.
  
  Public inspection of these documents does not include entitlement to obtain copies. Before inspecting materials, a person must sign a statement that they will not inspect the materials except for the purposes of the Act.
  
  Local Government Act s.150(3) & (5.2)

Wednesday, November 23 - Deadline for Election by Acclamation Results

• Last day to report results of an election by acclamation.
  
  The chief election officer must submit a report of the election results to the local government within 30 days after the declaration of official election results by acclamation.
  
  Local Government Act s.148(1)

Monday, November 28 - End of Period to Apply for Judicial Recount

• Last day for applications for judicial recount.
  
  The time period during which an application may be made is limited to the time between the declaration of official election results and 9 days after the close of general voting.
  
  Local Government Act s.138(3)

Tuesday, November 29 - Start Period to Make Oath of Office

• First day a candidate elected by voting may make oath of office.
  
  If an application for a judicial recount of an election is made, a candidate declared elected in the election is not entitled to make the oath of office until the recount has been completed and the candidate's election has been confirmed, unless permitted by the Provincial court. The court may authorize a candidate who has been declared elected to make the oath of office if the court is satisfied that the candidate's election will not be affected by the results of the judicial recount.
  
  Local Government Act s.137(1)

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December, 2011
Thursday, December 1 - Start of Period to Hold First Council Meeting

• First possible day to take office at first regular council meeting, as established in the Procedure Bylaw.  

Council must hold its first meeting in the first 10 days of December following a general local election.

Community Charter s.124(2)(g)

Friday, December 2 - Deadline for Completion of Judicial Recount

• Deadline for completing judicial recounts.
  
  Local Government Act s.139(1)

Saturday, December 3 - Runoff Election

• First day to hold runoff election if no bylaw in place to break a tie vote by lot.

If at the completion of a judicial recount the results of the election cannot be declared because there is an equality of valid votes for two or more candidates, a runoff election must be held unless the local government adopted a bylaw before August 8, 2011 that allows the results to be decided by lot.

Local Government Act s.141 & 142

Wednesday, December 10 - End of Period to Hold First Council Meeting

• Last possible day that council can hold its first regular meeting following the general local election.

Council must hold its first meeting in the first 10 days of December following a general local election.

Community Charter s.124(2)(g)

Friday, December 23 - End of Public Inspection of Voting Day Materials

• Last day to inspect voting day documents, if official election results declared on last possible day.

Records and other documents generated on voting day materials are available for public inspection from the time of the declaration of the official election results until 30 days after that date. If the official results are declared on the last possible day, these materials are available from November 23 to December 23.

Public inspection of these documents does not include entitlement to obtain copies. Before inspecting materials, a person must sign a statement that they will not inspect the materials except for the purposes of the Act.

Local Government Act s.150(3)

Friday, December 23 - End of Period for Application to the Supreme Court

• Last day for an application to the Supreme Court to invalidate an election or determine the right of a candidate to take office.
  
  
• An application may be made to the Supreme Court by a candidate, the chief election officer, or at least four electors.
  
  Local Government Act s.143(3)
  
  
• Last day for submitting report of results of election by voting to the local government if the declaration of the official election results by voting was made on the last possible day (November 23). The chief election officer must submit a report of the election results to the local government within 30 days after the declaration of official election results for an election by voting.

Local Government Act s.148(1)

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January, 2012
Tuesday, January 3 - Start of Period for Supreme Court to Set Hearing

• First possible date the Supreme Court may set to hear an application to declare invalid election or the right of an elected candidate to take office, if the application was filed on December 23, 2011.
  
  
• An application may be made only by a candidate, the chief election officer or at least four electors.
  
  Local Government Act s.143(7)

Monday, January 9 - End of Period to Make Oath of Office

• Last day person elected to a regional district board by acclamation or by voting to make oath of office if the declaration of the official election results by voting was made on the last possible day (November 23).
  
  Local Government Act s.210(1)
  
  
• Last day person elected to a council by acclamation or by voting to make oath of office if the declaration of the official election results by voting was made on the last possible day (November 23). The oath may be taken any time between the declaration of official election results and January 9.
  
  Community Charter s.120(1)(a)
  

Friday, January 13 - End of Period for Supreme Court to Set Hearing

• Last possible day the Supreme Court may set to hear an application to declare invalid election or determine the right of a candidate to take office if it was filed on the last day for doing so (December 23, 2011).
  
  Local Government Act s.143(7)

Thursday, January 19 - Start of Period to Destroy Election Material

• First possible day to destroy certain election materials if the declaration of the official election results by voting was made on the last possible day (November 23).

Certain election materials such as ballots, must be destroyed as soon as possible after eight weeks after the declaration of the official election results.

Local Government Act s.150(6)

Saturday, January 21 - End of Period for Runoff Election

• Last possible day for runoff election if judicial recount completed on December 2, 2011.

If at the completion of a judicial recount the results of the election cannot be declared because there is an equality of valid votes for two or more candidates, a runoff election must be held unless the local government adopted a bylaw before August 8, 2011 that allows the results to be decided by lot.

Local Government Act s.142

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February, 2012

• No requirements under the Local Government Act.

March, 2012
Monday, March 19 - End Period to File Disclosure Statement

• Deadline to file campaign financing disclosure statements by candidates, elector organizations and campaign organizers.

A campaign financing disclosure statement is required to be filed with the designated local government officer even if the candidate received no campaign contributions, incurred no election expenses, was acclaimed, died, withdrew from the election, or was declared by a court to no longer be a candidate.

Local Government Act s.85.01 & s.90(1)

Tuesday, March 20 - Start of Period for Late Filing of Disclosure Statement

• All outstanding campaign financing disclosure statements are subject to a $500 penalty if they are filed starting on this date.
  
  
• Late filing is allowed until April 18 if accompanied by the penalty.  
  
  
• Report prepared for presentation to council or regional district board listing names of candidates, elector organizations and campaign organizers who have not filed disclosure statements. The date is set by the corporate officer, but as soon as practicable.
  
  Local Government Act s.92.2(1)(a) & (2)

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April, 2012
Wednesday, April 18 - End of Period for Late Filing of Disclosure Statement

• Last day for candidates, elector organization and campaign organizers to file late campaign financing disclosure statements along with a $500 late filing penalty to the local government.

A candidate, elector organization or campaign organizer may apply to the Supreme Court by this date for relief from the obligation to file. Unless relief is granted, penalties are imposed.

Local Government Act s.90.2(a) and 91

Thursday, April 19 – Report to Council/Board and Inspector of Municipalities

• Report prepared for presentation to council or regional district board listing names of candidates, elector organizations and campaign organizers who have not filed disclosure statements before the end of the late filing period and are subject to a penalty.

The date for presenting the report is set by the corporate officer, but as soon as practicable.

Local Government Act s.2.2(1) & (2)

• As soon as practicable, a copy of this report listing candidates, elector organizations and campaign organizers who are disqualified for failure to file disclosure statements must be submitted to the Inspector of Municipalities together with a copy of the candidate's nomination or the endorsement declaration for the elector.

The Inspector of Municipalities maintains a list of disqualified candidates, elector organizations, campaign organizers, and school board trustees.

Local Government Act s.92.2(3)