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 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.

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.

The Town of Oliver requires 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 of the municipality on the day of registration
• Not disqualified from voting due to an election offence
• Not ineligible to vote for other reasons such as elections offences

Additionally for Non-Resident Property Electors

• must have been a registered owner of real property in the municipality for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration.

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.

How do I apply for a Mail Ballot?

You may apply for a mail ballot in the following ways:

1. Complete the Request for Mail Ballot form and submit the required information by email, mail or deliver it to the chief election officer (Town Hall, 6150 Main Street)
2. Pick up a Request for Mail Ballot form at Town Hall, 6150 Main Street

How do I receive my Mail Ballot?

Once the application has been completed, returned and approved, a mail ballot package will be available in the method specified in your request:

• for pick up at Town Hall by yourself or a person specified in your request
• mail to residential address or another address specified in your request

What is included in my Mail Ballot?

The mail ballot package contains the following items:

• Instructions to complete the mail ballot package
• A mail ballot
• A secrecy envelope for returning the ballot (envelope A)
• A certification envelope (envelope B) for returning the secrecy envelope (envelope A)
• A return envelope (envelope C) to return everything

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 serviced 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.

GUIDES

• Candidate's Guide to Local Elections (guide for candidates about elected office and the election process including rules, qualifications, and key dates)

BROCHURES

• General Local Elections 101 (information about the election process and participants)
• Thinking about Running for Local Office? (information for candidates about elected office)
• What Every Candidate Needs to Know (overview for candidates about how to run for office)
• Supporting a Candidate for Local Elections (ways and rules for supporting a candidate)
• Scrutineers Guide to General Local Elections (information for those volunteering as scrutineers)
• Voter's Guide for Electors Living on Reserve (for those voters living on Reserve)
• Elector Organization Guide to Local Elections (overview of elector organizations in local elections)
• Voter's Guide to Local Elections in B.C. (overview for voters about local elections and eligibility)

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.

Once you are elected the real work begins. Effective Elected Officials have a number of things in common - they:

• Are honest and act with integrity
• Accept responsibility for their actions
• Respect others and the institution of local government
• Have an ability to lead, listen, and positively influence others while working collaboratively

These videos are intended to help potential candidates better understand what is involved in serving as an elected leader, including the skills needed to work with fellow elected officials, Indigenous partners, and the community at large.

Advice for People Running for Local Office

What is Responsible Conduct?

Working with Others
 

Reflections on Building Relationships with First Nations

Unproductive Conflict vs. Productive Conflict

Tools to Support Good Governance

If you've decided to run for local office, these four videos will provide you with general information about what you can expect before, during and following general local elections or by-elections in B.C.

Overview of B.C. General Local Elections 2022

Participants in B.C. General Local Elections 2022

Candidate Nominations in B.C. General Local Elections 2022

Voting and Taking office in B.C. General Local Elections 2022

Elected officials are entrusted with making decisions that directly affect the daily lives of residents, families, local business owners and many others in the local community.

If you’re thinking of running for local office part of the decision-making process may include considering the role you will play, how best you can serve your community and the impact you will have as an elected official.  

These videos give potential candidates information to help them with answers to questions that they may have before making the decision to run for local office.

Characteristics of Effective Locally Elected Officials

What is Local Government?

Testing Your Readiness for Local Office

Local Government Decision Making

Roles and Responsibilities of Elected Officials

Elector Organization Guide to Local Elections in BC

What Every Candidate Needs to Know

General Local Elections 101

Guide to Local Elections Campaign Financing In BC

Foundational Principles of Responsible Conduct

For more local election information and helpful videos like the ones above, visit the Province of BC website and the Elections BC website.

Candidates must meet the following criteria:

• be 18 years of age or older on election day;
• be a Canadian citizen;
• be a resident of BC in accordance with legislation, for at least 6 months immediately before election day; and
• not be disqualified from voting under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from being nominated for, being elected to or holding office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

A person is ineligible to run for office in a general local election or by-election if they:

• have been convicted of and sentenced for an indictable offence and are in custody;
• have been found guilty of an election offence, such as intimidation or vote-buying, and are prohibited from holding office;
• are judges of the Provincial Court, Supreme Court or Court of Appeal;
• are involuntarily confined to a psychiatric facility or other institution;
• have been disqualified for specified reasons such as failing to file a candidate disclosure statement in a previous election, failing to make an oath of office, or failing to attend local government meetings in the manner and frequency required by the Community Charter;
• have been otherwise disqualified from being nominated for, elected to or holding office under the Local Government Act, Community Charter, Local Elections Campaign Financing Act or any other enactment or law.

A Local Government Election was held on Saturday, October 15, 2022

• 2022 Declaration of Elected Candidates
• 2022 Voter Turnout Statistics
• Council Report: 2022 Local Government Election Results

A Local Government Election was held on Saturday, October 20, 2018

• 2018 Declaration of Elected Candidates
• 2018 Voter Turnout Statistics
• Council Report: 2018 Local Government Election Results

A Local Government By-Election was held on December 2, 2017

• 2017 Declaration of Elected Candidate
• 2017 Voter Turnout Statistics
• Council Report: 2017 Local Government By-Election Results

A Local Government Election was held on Saturday, November 15, 2014.

Mayor and Water Councillors Acclaimed

• 2014 Declaration of Elected Candidates
• 2014 Voter Turnout Statistics
• File

  2014 Election Results.pdf