Frequently Asked Questions

  1. How do I report a problem or provide feedback?
  2. I am having trouble using the Online Voter Registration system. What are my options?
  3. I think I am already registered, but I'm not sure. Should I choose the 'Register' or 'Update' option?
  4. Why do I have to give my date of birth?
  5. Why do I have to provide the number from my personal identification card? (BC driver's licence number, BC Identification Card Number, partial Social Insurance Number (SIN), or partial Personal Health Number (PHN)?
  6. Why do you want my mobile phone number and/or email address?
  7. Why do I need to give a home address and a mailing address?
  8. Do I have to give my previous address?
  9. I am travelling and have no permanent address right now. How do I register?
  10. I live at a place that is also a business address. Should I let Elections BC know about this?
  11. I live on an anchored boat. How do I provide my information to Elections BC?
  12. I am currently homeless and have no address. How can I register?
  13. My electoral district could not be identified. How can I find out what electoral district I live in?
  14. I have moved out of British Columbia. Do I need to tell Elections BC?
  15. I am 16 or 17 years old. Can I register now?
  16. A family member has passed away. Can I use the Online Voter Registration system to notify Elections BC?
  17. Can I find someone on the Online Voter Registration system?
  18. Why can it take a few days to have the voters list officially updated?
  19. How do I remove myself from the Provincial Voters List or the List of Future Voters?
  20. I provided my email address but did not receive an email confirmation. How do I know if my information was received?
  21. Does Elections BC share my information?
  22. How quickly will my information be updated with Elections Canada?
  23. I do not want to share my information with Elections Canada. How do I prevent this from happening?
  24. Why do I have to close the browser if I'm at a public computer?

  1. How do I report a problem or provide feedback?

    Please contact Elections BC by calling 1-800-661-8683 or by emailing voterservices@elections.bc.ca.

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  2. I am having trouble using the Online Voter Registration system. What are my options?

    Call us at 1-800-661-8683 or email us at voterservices@elections.bc.ca for assistance. Mailing and fax information is available on our Contact Page.

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  3. I think I am already registered, but I'm not sure. Should I choose the 'Register' or 'Update' option?

    Choose the 'Register' option. We check all registrations to see if the individual is already registered. If you are already on the list and the information we have from Online Voter Registration is new, we will update your record.

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  4. Why do I have to give my date of birth?  

    Your date of birth is required by law to register. It shows that you are old enough to register as a voter or future voter. It also helps Elections BC to maintain your record.

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  5. Why do I have to provide the number from my personal identification card? (BC driver's licence number, BC Identification Card Number, partial Social Insurance Number (SIN) or partial Personal Health Number (PHN)?  

    The number from one of these identification cards, in combination with your date of birth, is unique to you. Providing this information helps us maintain your record.

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  6. Why do you want my mobile phone number and/or email address?  

    Providing your phone number and email address is voluntary. If you give us permission, we will contact you via phone or email to provide you with information about elections and voting. Elections BC does not share this information with political campaigns.

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  7. Why do I need to give a home address and a mailing address?  

    Your home address and mailing address are required by law to register. Your home address is needed to identify your electoral district. See here for more information about residency rules.

    If your mail doesn't come to your home address, you must also provide a mailing address. Your mailing address is used to notify you of voting opportunities and the dates and times for voting during an election. It may also be used to confirm and to request an update to your registration information or notify you of other changes.

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  8. Do I have to give my previous address?  

    It's not required, but it does help us update your record.

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  9. I am travelling and have no permanent address right now. How do I register?  

    You can register at a temporary residential address or at your previous permanent address. See the residency rules here. You should provide a different mailing address if you cannot receive mail sent to your previous or temporary address

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  10. I live at a place that is also a business address. Should I let Elections BC know about this?  

    Yes. If you live at a business address, please call us at 1-800-661-8683 or email us at voterservices@elections.bc.ca.

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  11. I live on an anchored boat. How do I provide my information to Elections BC?  

    If your boat is usually tied to a dock, you may use the marina address

    If your boat is not usually tied to a dock, you will not be able to use the Online Voter Registration system. Please call us at 1-800-661-8683 or email us at voterservices@elections.bc.ca.

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  12. I am currently homeless and have no address. How can I register?

    You can use the address of a shelter, hostel or similar institution that provides food, lodging or other social services.

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  13. My electoral district could not be identified. How can I find out what electoral district I'm in?  

    Use our Electoral District Explorer application to search for your electoral district, or you can call us at 1-800-661-8683, or email us at voterservices@elections.bc.ca.

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  14. I have moved out of British Columbia. Do I need to tell Elections BC?  

    If you have left the province and you now consider your home address to be outside B.C., please call Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683 or email us at voterservices@elections.bc.ca. If your move is temporary and you intend to return to B.C., you may still qualify to be registered. To determine if you qualify, please refer to the residency rules here.

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  15. I am 16 or 17 years old. Can I register now?

    You can register as a future voter. When you turn 18, we will add your name to the Provincial Voters List automatically.

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  16. A family member has passed away. Can I use the Online Voter Registration system to notify Elections BC?

    No. Please contact Elections BC by calling 1-800-661-8683 or email us at voterservices@elections.bc.ca.

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  17. Can I find someone on the Online Voter Registration system?

    No. Protection of personal information is extremely important to Elections BC. To ensure information is kept confidential, you will not be able to view any records when accessing this site, including your own.

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  18. Why can it take a few days to have the voters list officially updated?

    Elections BC staff may need to review information before it is processed. Although registrations and updates are generally processed within a couple of days after being received, high volumes or difficulaties with the information may cause delays. Please allow up to five business days to update your information. If there are any problems with your information, Elections BC may contact you.

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  19. How do I remove myself from the Provincial Voters List or the List of Future Voters?

    Send a request in writing to Elections BC, either by letter or email, and be sure to include your name, date of birth and home address.

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  20. I provided my email address but did not receive an email confirmation. How do I know if my information was received?

    Please call Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683 to verify that we received your information.

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  21. Does Elections BC share my information?

    The Election Act permits disclosure of some voter information from the Provincial Voters List to registered political parties, registered constituency associations, Members of the Legislative Assembly, candidates in an election, recall proponents, Elections Canada and municipal election officials. Records from the Provincial Voters List are also used to create jury selection lists.

    Elections BC may disclose information from the List of Future Voters to Elections Canada to update the federal Register of Future Electors. The List of Future Voters is not disclosed to MLAs, candidates, recall proponents, or municipal election officials. Once a 16 or 17 year old turns 18, their information is transferred automatically to the Provincial Voters List.

    Review our privacy statement for more information.

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  22. How quickly will my information be updated with Elections Canada?

    Elections BC shares voter information and future voter information with Elections Canada at least once per year. If a federal election is called, we suggest you confirm with Elections Canada that your information is up to date.

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  23. I do not want you to share my information with Elections Canada. How do I prevent this from happening?

    Please email Elections BC at voterservices@elections.bc.ca with your request. Be sure to include your name, date of birth and home address.

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  24. Why do I have to close the browser if I'm at a public computer?

    When you close your browser, the information you provided during your Online Voter Registration activity will be removed from the computer. This ensures that the next person using the computer won’t be able to see your information.

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