Information for Voters
Qualifications of Electors
In order to vote in a local government election you must be a resident elector or non-resident property elector at the time of voting and not be disqualified by the Local Government Act or other Act.
A person is disqualified as an elector if that person falls under any of the following:
- are under sentence for an indictable offence, and are not in custody or in prison;
- is involuntarily confined to a psychiatric or other institution as a result of being acquitted of or found not criminally responsible for an offence under the Criminal code on account of mental disorder; or
- has been found guilty of an elections offence, such as double voting or buying votes, and are prohibited from holding office.
Resident Electors
To qualify as a resident elector in the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, you must meet all the following criteria:
- 18 years of age or older on or before general voting day;
- Canadian citizen;
- Resident of BC for at least 6 months immediately before general election day;
- Resident of the Northern Rockies for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration; and
- Not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other Act from voting in an election or be otherwise disqualified by law.
Please note that, as the Prophet River First Nation and Fort Nelson First Nation opted to have their reserves not included in the February 6, 2009 incorporation of the Regional Municipality, anyone living on these reserves is not eligible to vote for Mayor or Council as a resident elector.
Criteria for Determining Residency
To determine residency for a resident elector the criteria are as follows:
- You are a resident of the area where you live and to which, whenever absent, you intend to return;
- You may only be a resident of one area at a time for the purpose of voting in a local government election;
- You do not change your area of residence until you have a new area of residence;
- You do not cease to be a resident of an area by leaving the area for temporary purposes only.
If a person establishes residency in a new area which is away from their usual area of residence for the purpose of attending an educational institution in the new area, the person may choose to vote in either area, but not in both.
Non-Resident Property Electors
If you own property in the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality, but reside elsewhere, you may be eligible to vote in the 2011 election as a non-resident property owner. In order to qualify as a non-resident property elector you must be:
- 18 years of age or older on or before general voting day;
- Canadian citizen;
- Resident of BC for at least 6 months immediately before general election day;
- Registered owner of "real property" (real property being land with or without improvements) in the jurisdiction for at least 30 days immediately before general election day;
- Must not be eligible to register as a resident elector in the jurisdiction;
- Must only register in relation to one piece of property; and
- If more than one person owns the property, only one owner may register and that person must have the written consent of a majority of the other owners.
When you go to vote, you will be required to produce to the election official at least 2 documents that provide evidence of your identity and place of residence (at least one of which must contain your signature). You must declare that:
- You are 18 years of age or older
- You are a Canadian Citizen
- You have been a resident of BC for at least 6 months immediately preceding the day or registration
- You have been a resident of the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality for at least 30 days immediately preceding the day of registration
- You are not otherwise disqualified by law from voting
Non-resident property electors must produce 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature) to prove identity, proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property, and, if applicable, written consent from the majority of the property owners.
Go to Top
