Day 3 of Pro Rep ballot returns (Nov 9)

Friday, November 9 ~ BC.

by West Shore Voice News

Completed ballots for the purpose of voting in the Proportional Representation Referendum are being received by Elections BC. This is Day 3 of their ongoing published tally.

Ballots first were available October 22 (mailed to every BC voter household over a series of days) and can be submitted up until 4:30 pm on Friday, November 30, 2018. If you didn’t get a ballot package, those are still available up to November 23 from Elections BC.

As of today Friday November 9, Elections BC has received 121,888 ballot packages. That’s 3.7% of the 3,291,934 eligible voter ballots (that total eligibility count has increased slightly from previous reports).

Each ballot — while not identified with any specific voter information — does have an electoral area identifier in the top right corner.

The top three electoral areas for ballot return count as of November 9 (percent of eligible voters for that riding): Courtenay-Comox 11%; Boundary-Similkameen 11%; Kamloops-South Thompson 10%.

So far from Premier John Horgan’s riding of Langford Juan de Fuca now 568 ballots have been received (1.3%). Horgan has announced that he is voting in favour of Proportional Representation, specifically for the Mixed Member option.

Opposition Leader Andrew Wilkinson is adhering to his position that the current First Past the Post system serves the province well, allowing voters to know exactly who they are electing.

BC Green Party Leader Andrew Weaver is a strong proponent of Proportional Representation.

A televised/streamed debate was held between Horgan and Wilkinson on November 8 as a way for voters to gain more insight into the Pro Rep options. There is also detailed information about the ballots and about proportional representation on the Elections BC website.

Ballots are to be sent in by postal mail using the supplied postage-paid envelope. Ballots must arrive at Elections BC by 4:30 pm on Friday, November 30 in order to be included in the count.

Ballots may also be taken directly to any Service BC Centre or Referendum Service Office up to 4:30 pm on Friday November 30. In the Victoria area that includes 100-1112 Fort St (open Monday to Friday up to November 30, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm) and also at 403-771 Vernon Ave in Gateway Village in Saanich (open Monday to Friday up to November 30, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm).