Municipal staffers in the Tri-Cities are ramping up their communication efforts in the hopes of driving more people to the polls for the Oct. 20 civic election.
Social media, early-voting opportunities, mail-in ballots and print advertising campaigns are just some of the tools they’re using as they seek to raise awareness about when, where and how an eligible voter can cast a ballot.
“We have not set a specific target for voter turnout but our goal in every election is to encourage as many people as possible to exercise their right to vote,” said Angie Parnell, Port Moody’s general manager of corporate services.
She said city staff work hard to make sure residents are aware of the key election dates — including advance polls — polling locations, hours of operation and who is qualified to cast a ballot.
“We also ensure that all qualified electors have opportunities to vote, including people who can’t get to the polls on election day or during advance voting because they will be away from the community or are prevented by a physical disability, illness or injury,” Parnell told The Tri-City News.
In the most recent election in 2014, Port Moody had the highest voter turnout in the Tri-Cities, with 35% of eligible voters casting ballots. That figure is one of the highest in the area in the last three election cycles, where turnout in municipal elections has traditionally hovered around the 25% mark.
Eligible voters in PoMo can pick up ballots at city hall and return them in person or by mail, Parnell said. Staff will also be routinely updating the city’s election website while ongoing reminders will be posted to the city’s various social media channels in conjunction with Port Coquitlam and Coquitlam.
Kathleen Vincent, the manager of corporate communications in Coquitlam, said her city has been putting together its Get Out and Vote campaign since the summer.
She added staff in all three municipalities in the Tri-Cities have been working together to “leverage shared outreach opportunities to increase the reach of our messaging.”
Coquitlam has also looked at ways of increasing its reach into parts of the community where English may be a second language and, after reviewing census date, translated digital election ads into Chinese, Korean and Farsi.
The city is also adding an advance polling opportunity at Victoria Hall Oct. 12 to help boost turnout in the growing northeast neighbourhoods of the municipality.
Port Coquitlam is also adding a polling station to make things more convenient for voters and are providing a variety of early voting opportunities and mail-in ballots.
Pardeep Purewal, the city’s manager of communications and administrative services, said PoCo staff will be using a variety of tools — including multimedia advertising, newspaper ads, outdoor ads and print materials— to get the message out about voting day.
“The goal is to inform our residents about where, when, how to vote and why it’s important to get out and vote for the elected officials that govern the services that impact their day-to-day lives,” she said in an email.
• Elections for city councils and boards of education will take place across British Columbia on Oct. 20.
WHO CAN VOTE?
You can vote if you are already on the provincial voters list. Residents can also register at the advance polls or on election day with two pieces of identification (one signed), providing they meet the following requirements:
• age 18 or older on election day;
• a Canadian citizen;
• a resident of B.C. for at least six months before the day of registration;
• a resident of their city for at least 30 days before day of registration;
• and not disqualified by law from voting.
Non-resident property owners may also vote in municipal elections but have different requirements than resident voters; check your city website for details.
MORE ELECTION INFO
• Coquitlam: coquitlam.ca/vote
• Port Coquitlam: portcoquitlam.ca/vote
• Port Moody: portmoody.ca/vote
• ElectionsBC: elections.bc.ca
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