Election 2011 Future

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Voting Information

The next Local Government Election will take place on Saturday, November 19, 2011. The District of Maple Ridge holds elections in accordance with the Local Government Act. On November 19 the citizens of Maple Ridge will elect one Mayor, six Councillors and five School Trustees (for School District No. 42).   If you are interested in the workings of Local Government in BC, please follow the link provided.

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Do You Qualify to Vote?

You may vote as a resident elector if you:

• are a Canadian Citizen
• are 18 years of age or more on general voting day (November 19)
• have lived in BC for at least 6 months before you register to vote
• have lived in the District of Maple Ridge for 30 days or more before you register to vote
• are not disqualified from voting by any statute or law

You may vote as a non-resident property elector if you:

• are not a resident of Maple Ridge
• are a Canadian Citizen
• are 18 years of age or more on general voting day (November 19)
• have lived in BC for at least 6 months before you register to vote
• are the registered owner of real property in Maple Ridge for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registering
• are not disqualified from voting by any statute or law

If more than one person owns the property, only one owner may register and that person must have the written consent of a majority of the other owners. Note the property must be in the name(s) of individuals and not in the name of a company.

If you qualify, it is strongly recommended that you register in advance of general voting at the Maple Ridge Municipal Hall during regular office hours.  The closing date for advance registration for non-resident property electors will be announced.  After that date, please contact your local election office for information.  You may also register on election day at any one of the Polling Stations.  Click on the name of the document for an application to register as a non-resident property elector or for a non-resident property elector consent form.

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Are You on the Voters' List?

The District of Maple Ridge will use the Province of B.C. Voter's List as its List of Electors.  Click here to view the Provincial Voter's List to ensure you are registered to vote.

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How to Register on Voting Day

If you are not on the Voters' List, but are qualified to vote as a Resident Elector at advance voting or on voting day, you may register at any designated voting place.

You must bring at least 2 documents that provide evidence of your identity and place of residence. At least one of the documents must contain your signature.

or

You must provide two documents producing evidence of your identity, at least one of which must contain your signature  You must also be prepared to sign a solemn declaration as to your place of residence. If you do not comply with these requirements, you will not be registered to vote.

The following documents only will be accepted for identification:

• a British Columbia Driver's License
• an Owner's Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle License issued by the Insurance Corporation of B.C.
• a British Columbia CareCard or British Columbia Gold CareCard
• a British Columbia Identification Card 
• a Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security Request for Continued Assistance form SDES8
• a Social Insurance Card issued by Human Resources Development Canada
• a Citizenship Card issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
• a real property tax notice issued under section 269 of the Local Government Act or section 21 of the Taxation (Rural Area) Act
• a credit card or debit card issued by a savings institution as defined in Section 29 of the Interpretation Act, or
• a utility bill issued for the supply of electricity, natural gas, water, telephone services or coaxial cable service by
  · a public utility as defined in section 1 of the Utilities Commission Act
  · a gas utility as defined in section 1 of the Gas Utility Act
  · a water utility as defined in section 1 of the Water Act
  · the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, or
  · a corporation licensed by the Canadian Radio-Television and Telecommunications Commission for the purposes of that supply.

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Mail Ballot Voting

In addition to Advance Polling opportunities for voters who will be absent on voting day, the alternative absentee voter opportunity (mail ballot voting) has been expanded to include voters who:

• have a physical disability, illness or injury that affects their ability to vote at another voting opportunity; or
• persons who expect to be absent from the District of Maple Ridge on general voting day and at the times of all advance voting opportunities.

Alternative voting packages will be available to voters from seven days prior to the first advance poll, until 4:00 p.m. on voting day. For the 2011 election, the dates will be announced.

The package will contain instructions, a ballot and the envelopes necessary to return the marked ballot and protect the secrecy of the vote. Completed alternative absentee voting packages will have to be received by the Chief Election Officer by 8:00 p.m. on General Voting Day. It is the responsibility of the voter to ensure that this time frame is met. The packages will be available for pick-up at Municipal Hall. Upon request, packages will be mailed up to one week prior to the election. Voters may arrange for their own courier service if they wish.

Residents and patients at health care facilities in the community, including Ridge Meadows Hospital, will be able to vote by making arrangements to receive a package. Election staff will notify those facilities of the availability of packages.

Voters who are planning extended vacations will also be able to make arrangements to obtain a package. Non-resident property owners will be able to take advantage of this opportunity as well.   Click here for a mail ballot application form.

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Important Dates

Candidates Information Meeting (held in Council Chambers)	Monday, July 23 7:00 pm
Candidates Information Meeting (held in Council Chambers)	Wednesday, September 17 7:00 pm
Nomination period begins	Tuesday, September 30 9:00 am
Nomination period ends Declaration of candidates (held in Council Chambers)	Friday, October 10 4:00 pm
Deadline for challenge of nominations	Tuesday, October 14 4:00 pm
Deadline for withdrawal of candidates and withdrawal of elector organization endorsement	Friday, October 17 4:00 pm
Declaration of election by voting (held in Council Chambers)	Monday, October 20 4:00 pm
Advance Voting Poll Maple Ridge Municipal Hall, 11995 Haney Place	Wednesday, November 5 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
Advance Voting Poll Maple Ridge Municipal Hall, 11995 Haney Place	Saturday, November 8 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
Local Government Election Day	Saturday, November 15 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
Declaration of Official Results (held in Council Chambers)	Wednesday, November 19 4:00 pm
Inaugural Council Meeting (held in Council Chambers)	Monday, December 1 7:00 pm
Business Planning Week (held in Council Chambers)	Tuesday, December 9 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Wednesday, December 10 9:00 am to 2:30 pm

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Contact Information

For further information regarding Maple Ridge's municipal elections, please contact:

Ceri Marlo, Manager of Legislative Services
c/o The District of Maple Ridge
11995 Haney Place Mall
Maple Ridge, BC V2X 6A9
604-467-7482 or e-mail: cmarlo@mapleridge.ca

More information will be posted to this site as election day approaches.

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