Online Voter Registration

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is an HST Referendum Voting Package?
  2. Who gets an HST Referendum Voting Package?
  3. Can I get an HST Referendum Voting Package before June 13?
  4. I’m going to be out of the province from June 13 – August 5.  How do I get a voting package?
  5. Can I pick up an HST Referendum Voting Package?
  6. When will I receive my HST Referendum Voting Package?
  7. What do I do if I rip or spoil my ballot?
  8. Why are there three envelopes in the voting package?
  9. Why do I have to provide my signature and birthdate?
  10. Why do you need my phone number?
  11. I’m not sure my HST Referendum Ballot Package will reach Elections BC before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, August 5, 2011.  What are my options?
  12. Is the HST Referendum Voting Package available in other languages?
  13. I have received an HST Referendum Voting Package for someone who no longer lives at this address.  What should I do with the voting package?
  14. How will the results of the HST Referendum be determined?
  1. What is an HST Referendum Voting Package?
    An HST Referendum Voting Package contains a ballot, and instructions on how to vote and return your ballot package for the 2011 HST Referendum.
  2. Who gets an HST Referendum Voting Package?
    An HST Referendum Voting Package will be mailed to each registered voter.  If you do not receive a voting package by July 7, you are not registered or your voter information is not up-to-date, call Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683 (toll-free).  You may register and request a voting package before midnight (local time) on Friday, July 22, 2011.
  3. Can I get an HST Referendum Voting Package before June 13?
    No.  An HST Referendum Voting Package may only be requested from June 13 to midnight (local) on Friday, July 22, 2011.
  4. I’m going to be out of the province from June 13 – August 5.  How do I get a voting package?
    Call Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683 (toll-free) before midnight (local time) on Friday, July 22, 2011 to have your voting package mailed to your alternate location.  It is the voter’s responsibility to return the ballot package to Elections BC before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, August 5, 2011.
  5. Can I pick up an HST Referendum Voting Package?
    No. HST Referendum Voting Packages are mailed.  You must call Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683 (toll-free) to request a voting package.
  6. When will I receive my HST Referendum Voting Package?
    An HST Referendum Voting Package will be mailed to each registered voter beginning June 13 through to July 7, 2011.  Please see the distribution schedule on the Elections BC website (www.elections.bc.ca/index.php/referenda-recall-initiative/hst-2011/#distribution).  If you do not receive a voting package by July 7, call Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683 (toll-free) before midnight (local time) on Friday, July 22, 2011 to request a voting package. 
  7. What do I do if I rip or spoil my ballot?
    Call Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683 (toll-free) before midnight (local time) on Friday, July 22, 2011 to request a Replacement Package. 
  8. Why are there three envelopes in the voting package?
    The secrecy envelope (A) is to ensure the secrecy of your vote.  The certification envelope (B) must contain your signature and birthdate to ensure you are the person voting.  The yellow HST Referendum Ballot Package envelope (C) is postage-paid – no stamp required if mailed in Canada – and will ensure your vote gets to Elections BC.
  9. Why do I have to provide my signature and birthdate?
    Your signature and birthdate are required by section 10 of the HST Referendum Regulation.  This ensures that only the voter named on each package is able to vote using this package.
  10. Why do you need my phone number?
    Your phone number is required as part of the verification process.  It will be used by BC Stats to conduct a random survey to verify participation in the referendum.
  11. I’m not sure my HST Referendum Ballot Package will reach Elections BC before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, August 5, 2011.  What are my options?
    You may deliver your ballot package to Elections BC in Victoria, any one of 60 Service BC Centres or any one of five Elections BC Collection Centres.  See www.elections.bc.ca/index.php/referenda-recall-initiative/hst-2011/#return for locations.
  12. Is the HST Referendum Voting Package available in other languages?
    HST Referendum Voting Packages are provided in English.  Translations of the materials are available in 16 languages and can be found on the Elections BC website at: http://www.elections.bc.ca/index.php/hst-ref-vp-translations/
  13. I have received an HST Referendum Voting Package for someone who no longer lives at this address.  What should I do with the voting package?
    Please mark the package “voter not at this address” and return it to Elections BC.
  14. How will the results of the HST Referendum be determined?
    Section 4 of the Referendum Act states ”If more than 50% of the validly cast ballots vote the same way on a question stated, that result is binding on the government that initiated the referendum.”  If more than 50% vote “Yes” the government will reinstate the PST and GST.  If more than 50% vote “No” the government will keep the HST.

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