Voting FAQs
1. How do I know if I am eligible to vote in a Municipal Election?
You can vote if you:
- Are over 18 years old on voting day.
- Are a Canadian citizen
- Have lived in BC for at least 6 months before voting day.
- Have lived in your city for at least 30 days before voting day. Live somewhere else in BC? Check the eligibility requirements on your city’s website.
2. How do I know if I am registered to vote?
- You are on the voters list if you were registered for the last Federal, Provincial, or Municipal election, and you have not moved since then.
- If you live in Vancouver, you can check here (just need your name and address) or call 3-1-1 to find out if you are on the voters list.
- If you have received a voter information card then you’re on the list! The card will also tell you where to vote.
3. How do I register to vote?
You can register to vote on Election Day. Bring two pieces of identification (ID) that prove who you are and where you live.
4. What identification counts? What identification do I need to bring with me to vote?
You need ID that together shows your name, signature, and address. Here are examples:
- BC Driver’s Licence
- BC ID card from Motor Vehicle Branch
- ICBC Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence
- BC Care Card
- Canadian Passport
- Ministry of Social Development Monthly Report Form (HR81)
- Social Insurance card
- Citizenship Card
- Property tax notice
- Credit card or debit card
- Utility bill for electricity, natural gas, water, telephone or cable services
- Statutory declaration or sworn affidavit (from a notary public, lawyer, or commissioner for taking oaths)
5. What do I need to bring with me to vote?
Bring your WHERE TO VOTE Card - you should have recieved it in the mail by the end of October.
If you didn’t get a WHERE TO VOTE card in the mail or you are not registered, then you need to bring two pieces of ID.
6. What happens when I get to the polling station?
You will be asked for your WHERE TO VOTE Card or two pieces of ID (one that proves who you are and one that proves where you live). Then you will be given a ballot, a pen, and a secrecy sleeve. You will go into a private booth, follow the instructions provided to mark your ballot with who you want to vote for. Finally you will put your ballot in the secrecy sleeve and go to the voting machine. All done!
7. What if I don’t have the right ID?
If you don’t have the correct ID then a statutory declaration or sworn affidavit (from a notary public, lawyer, or commissioner for taking oaths) will be accepted. A statutory declaration will take the place of one piece of ID, so you’ll need at least one other piece that has your name and signature or your name and address.
8. What if I don’t have an address?
If you don’t have the correct ID to confirm your address then a statutory declaration or sworn affidavit (from a notary public, lawyer, or commissioner for taking oaths) will be accepted. A statutory declaration will take the place of one piece of ID, so you’ll need at least one other piece that has your name and signature on it.
9. Where do I vote?
If you are in Vancouver, use this handy search tool to find your polling station. Click here to find out where to vote. For other municipalities please check their websites to determine where your polling station is.
10. What if I can’t vote on Saturday, November 19th?
In most municipalities you can vote by mail, but the deadline will likely be November 7th because they need enough time to make sure your ballot gets to you in time. To vote by mail in Vancouver, click here.
If you can’t vote on Saturday, November 19th you can vote in the Advance Voting Days. Check with your municipality for advance voting days and times. In Vancouver Advance Voting days are November 9th – 16th in limited locations. Click here for days, times, and locations.
