Deadline extension for returning Electoral Reform Referendum ballots

Friday, November 23 ~ LANGFORD.

The deadline to return Electoral Reform ballots to Elections BC has been extended to 4:30 pm on Friday, December 7. This is largely in response to the periodic and rotating interruptions in mail delivery by Canada Post due to labour dispute rotating strikes that began October 22 (same day as ballots were first distributed through the mail).

“Based on the disruption in Canada Post it’s a reasonable thing for Elections BC to do,” said Premier John Horgan today in a media conference in Langford. “We didn’t ask them to do that. Others have sought an extension” and it happened. “I think that’s a good thing,” said Horgan.

“We have worked closely with Canada Post to understand the full impact of rotating strikes on the referendum process,” said Chief Electoral Officer Anton Boegman in a statement to media. “Rotating strikes have impacted accessibility. As a result we have extended the deadline to ensure that voters are not prevented from participating through no fault of their own.”

If you haven’t received a voting package or your have misplaced your ballot, you have until midnight tonight, November 23, 2018 to request one. To do that visit elections.bc.ca/ovr
or call 1-800-661-8683 (Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Sat 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Fri Nov 23, 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 midnight). Or go in person to a Referendum Service Office or Service BC Centre. Find location at elections.bc.ca/rso

As of 8:20 am this morning, November 23, about 980,000 packages are estimated to have been received by Elections BC (a return rate of about 30%). This does not include packages that have been received by Canada Post but not yet transferred to Elections BC.

The number of returned ballots now screened (opened and processed) by Elections BC is about 18.9% from a current total registered voter count of 3,296,255.