HSA Members Urged to Vote in Municipal Election
On Saturday, October 20, 2018 British Columbians head to the polls to elect mayors, municipal councillors, school trustees, and regional district representatives.
These local representatives play a critical role in creating liveable communities and as advocates for our communities with higher levels of government.
Overall, fewer than 25 per cent of eligible voters actually cast a ballot in BC’s local government elections. HSA urges members to help reverse this trend by learning more about the candidates in your community and exercising your vote.
As part of our involvement with the Canadian Labour Congress, HSA has sent members a list of the municipal candidates endorsed by your local labour council. You can also find the lists of labour council-endorsed candidates here. We hope you will consider this information when deciding which candidates to support with your vote.
In local government elections, you may vote for any number of candidates up to and including the number of positions available. You may choose to vote strategically to improve the chances of the candidate(s) you support by voting for fewer than the maximum number allowed.
Time off work to vote
Unlike provincial and federal elections, workers are not entitled by law to any specific minimum number of consecutive hours to vote in municipal elections.
Members who are eligible voters, and are covered by one of the Community Social Services agreements, are entitled to 4 consecutive clear hours while the polls are open in order to cast your ballot (Article 20.5 in all 3 CSS agreements). For members covered by these agreements, if your work schedule on October 20th does not allow 4 consecutive hours off between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm, then your employer is entitled to determine how you will be given 4 consecutive clear hours to vote (i.e., arrive late, leave early, or have 4 hours off at some point during the work day to vote).
General voting day: Saturday, October 20th
Voting hours: 8am to 8pm local time
Check your municipality’s website for voting locations