Lineups and waits for B.C. voters to be reduced under modernization proposals
Credit to Author: Rob Shaw| Date: Thu, 31 Oct 2019 23:06:30 +0000
VICTORIA — Lineups to cast your vote in future B.C. elections could be shorter and move quicker under legislation introduced Thursday that proposes to modernize elections equipment.
The changes won’t lead to internet voting or voters casting ballots at electronic machines. British Columbians will still mark their choice on paper ballots for security and re-count purposes.
But the changes should allow for electronic voting books stored on Elections B.C. laptops — tracking who is on the voting list and who has voted by computer rather than on paper lists. It should also allow for electronic ballot-counting machines.
“They will be able to vote more quickly, spend less time in line, vote in more places than just their home station and it will be generally a more convenient process for them if the house accepts these amendments,” said Attorney General David Eby.
For most of the province, it will mean that a voter could visit any polling station to cast a ballot as quickly and efficiently as at their home polling station. However, some rural and remote areas may not use the new technology.
Teenagers aged 16 and 17 would also be able to register for a “provisional voters registry” that would automatically place them on the official voters list at the age of 18.
“We have voter turnout that is generally declining, so it’s important to encourage young people to participate in democracy,” said Eby.
There was no consideration of lowering the voting age to 16, said Eby.
Nor did government consider any steps toward electronic or internet-based voting, he said. Those concepts would need to come as recommendations from the independent chief electoral officer, and only then would they be considered, said Eby.
The legislation acts on most of the suggestions made by Elections B.C. in a 2018 report.
“These are the most significant changes to this legislation since 1995,” said Eby, “It really will bring British Columbia elections into the 21st century, by recognizing and implementing modern technology.”
The legislation also proposes to extend election campaigns by up to 10 extra days, to a maximum of 38 days, for unexpected or snap elections. The length of the regularly scheduled election campaigns would not change.
It also proposes minor tweaks, such as ensuring candidate access to strata condo, co-op and rental apartment buildings, gathering more information on election advertising, and reporting requirements for contestants seeking a party nomination that fail to win.
The changes could be in place for the next scheduled provincial election in October 2021.