B.C. Voters Encouraged to Register
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2009
VICTORIA – Voters in nearly one-quarter of B.C.’s 85 electoral districts are registering at a lower rate than the rest of the province for the May 12 general election and referendum on electoral reform.
Voters in these districts-which are spread across much of the province from Victoria to Peace River-risk having lower participation rates in the spring election, says Chief Electoral Officer Harry Neufeld.
“We are hoping that eligible voters in these districts register, which is a requirement for voting in the election and referendum,” Neufeld said.
Eligible voters can register quickly and easily online at www.elections.bc.ca or by calling 1-800-661-8683.
Elections BC sent out 2 million enumeration notices in February and March to households across the province encouraging people to get on the voters list. Province-wide, 75.6% of the 3.2 million eligible voters are registered at the right address.
But voters in 21 of the province’s 85 electoral districts are lagging behind, with less than 70% of eligible voters registered at the right address, and two electoral districts are below 60%, according to statistics released by Elections BC.
The lower rate of registration at the correct address is attributed to high mobility in some electoral districts and a lack of awareness of voter registration requirements.
Voters have until April 21 to get on the voters list or update their registration before the election. Registered voters receive a Where to Vote card during the election period and are given their ballots at voting places after a quick check of their identification.
After April 21, voters will have to register at voting places, which may involve line-ups and delays. “You can go online or you can wait in line,” Neufeld said. “Registering on our website only takes a few minutes. It’s a convenience that gets you into the express line when you vote.”
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Contact:
Kenn Faris
Manager, Event Communications
Elections BC
Phone: 250-387-2949
Email: Kenn.Faris@elections.bc.ca
Statistics: Estimated registered voters at correct address listed by electoral district (Excel)
