Election

The Local Government Act establishes the regulations for elections, electors, candidates and any of their agents, and chief electoral officers. Local Government Elections are held every four years. The last was held October 20, 2018. The next will be held October 15, 2022.

During the four year term, if a member of Council is no longer able to fulfill their duties and resigns their post, the Local Government Act allows for a by-election to be held prior to the next election date, if required.

Additional procedures and regulations are also outlined in the Town of Oliver General Local Government Election Bylaw 1376 here.

In the case of a Local Government Election or a by-election, the Town of Oliver must follow specified guidelines to advertise the process to eligible candidates and voters.

Please refer to Elections BC (Local Elections) to find general information on the upcoming election.

The Community Charter allows local governments to use an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to seeking voter assent on a proposal, most commonly in matters involving long-term borrowing. An AAP is an alternative to a referendum, which is costlier to taxpayers and involves a lengthier process. The AAP allows voters 30 days to submit an elector response form in opposition to the local government’s proposal. If 10% of more of eligible voters submit forms indicating their opposition to the proposal, then electoral assent is not obtained and the AAP fails.

Read the Alternative Approval Process page for further details.

A referendum is a popular vote used to obtain electoral approval on a matter being proposed by a legislative body. Typically voters are presented with a single question on a matter in which the legislative body has the authority to act.

A referendum can be binding or non-binding depending on the matter at hand. If a referendum is binding, a government must carry out the decision of the electorate; if a referendum is non-binding, the government can take the ruling of the electorate into consideration in making its decision.

In British Columbia, a binding referendum must be held on a significant issue such as incorporation, certain bylaws and disposal of public assets. A non-binding referendum can be held on important matters where a municipal council may be interested in knowing how a community stands on a particular issue and where the results may be helpful to elected officials looking to make a final decision on a pressing or polarizing issue.

Assent of the electors is obtained when a majority of valid votes are found to be in favor of the bylaw or question. If the bylaw or question fails to obtain the majority assent of the electors, then a local government must wait six months before it is permitted to hold another referendum on the same question or bylaw, provided that the Province of British Columbia approves.

Candidate Information from Elections BC

We’ll provide more information here at the beginning of 2022. In the meantime, find general information on Election BC’s website.

A person who has not been disqualified from seeking or holding elected office, may become a candidate in a local government election.

A candidate for Mayor, Councillor or Water Councillor must:

• be 18 years of age or older on general voting day;
• be a Canadian citizen;
• have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months prior to filing nomination documents; and
• in the case of Water Councillors, you reside on a property that is services by the rural water system (one through seven) operated by the Town of Oliver;
• not been disqualified under the Local Government Act of any other enactment from being nominated for, being elected to or holding office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

Prospective candidates must be nominated by at least two eligible electors from the local government where the person is seeking election.

Signs may be posted during the campaign period so long as the placement complies with Sign Regulation Bylaw No. 918, found here. Signs must not obscure travel lines of vision nor obstruct cyclists, pedestrians nor traffic. Signs must not obstruct access to businesses, emergency vehicles or property. Signs cannot be placed within 100 meters of a polling station.

We require all electors to register at the time of voting.

You are eligible to vote as a resident or non-resident property elector if you are:

• 18 years or older on voting day
• A Canadian Citizen
• A resident living in British Columbia for at least six months before voting
• A resident living or owning property in the Town of Oliver for at least 30 days before voting
• Not disqualified from voting due to an election offence
• Not ineligible to vote for other reasons such as elections offences

Resident Electors

• Register to vote at the polling station on voting day.
• You must provide two pieces of identification, one with a signature, that confirm who you are and where you presently live.

Non-Resident Electors

• Register to vote at the polling station on voting day.
• You must provide two pieces of identification, one with a signature, that confirm who you are and where you presently live.
• You must provide written consent from the majority of the property’s co-owners to vote as the non-resident elector. Bring the completed and signed Non-Resident Elector Consent Form when you arrive to vote at the polling station; or obtain the form from the polling station and return to vote with the completed and signed document.