Municipality of French River

The following individuals are not eligible to vote in an election:

1. Individuals Serving a Sentence:
   • A person who has not completed the sentence for an indictable offence, unless they are on probation or parole and not in custody.
2. Individuals Confined to Psychiatric Institutions:
   • A person who is involuntarily confined to a psychiatric or other institution due to being acquitted or found not criminally responsible for an offence under the Criminal Code on account of mental disorder.
3. Individuals Who Accepted Inducements to Vote:
   • A person who has contravened Section 161(3) of the Local Government Act by accepting inducements to vote.
4. Corporations:
   • Corporations are not entitled to be registered as electors or to vote in municipal elections.

To qualify as a resident elector, a person must meet all the following requirements on the day of registration:

1. Age:
   • Be 18 years of age or older on the day of registration, or if an election is in progress, be 18 years or older on general voting day.
2. Citizenship:
   • Be a Canadian citizen.
3. Residency in British Columbia:
   • Have been a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration.
4. Residency in the Municipality or Electoral Area:
   • Be a resident of the municipality or electoral area where they are voting.
5. Not Disqualified:
   • Not be disqualified under any enactment or law from voting in an election.

If you do not reside in the municipality but own property there, you may qualify as a non-resident property elector. To register, you must meet the following requirements:

1. Not a Resident Elector:
   • You must not be entitled to register as a resident elector in the municipality or electoral area.
2. Age:
   • Be 18 years of age or older on the day of registration, or if an election is in progress, be 18 years or older on general voting day.
3. Citizenship:
   • Be a Canadian citizen.
4. Residency in British Columbia:
   • Have been a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration.
5. Property Ownership:
   • Have been a registered owner of real property in the municipality or electoral area for at least 30 days before the day of registration.
6. Ownership Restrictions:
   • The property must be owned by individuals (not corporations or trusts), and only one owner may register as a non-resident property elector for that property.
7. Not Disqualified:
   • Not be disqualified under any enactment or law from voting in an election.

The following rules apply to determine where a person is considered a resident:

1. A person is a resident of the area where they live and intend to return to when absent.
2. A person may only be a resident of one area at a time.
3. A person does not change their residency until they establish a new residence.
4. Temporary absences do not change a person’s residency.

Exception for Students:

• If a person establishes a new residence for educational purposes, they may choose to be a resident of either their usual area or the new area.

When, how and where to Register?

In accordance with the District of Tumbler Ridge Election and Assent Voting Bylaw No. 710, 2022, elector registration will be accepted at the time of voting only. This means you can register to vote when you arrive at your polling station on Advance Voting Days or Election Day.

What You Need to Bring to Register and Vote

To register and vote, you must provide proof of identity and residency. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Proof of Identity:
   • Bring one piece of government-issued photo ID that shows your name, photograph, and residential address. Examples include:
     • B.C. Driver’s License
     • B.C. Services Card (with photo)
     • B.C. Identification Card
2. If You Don’t Have Photo ID:
   • You can provide two pieces of identification that together show your name and residential address. At least one of these documents must include your signature. Examples include:
     • Utility bill (e.g., electricity, water, or gas)
     • Property tax notice
     • Bank or credit card statement
     • Government-issued document (e.g., tax assessment, citizenship card)
3. For Non-Resident Property Electors:
   • If you are registering as a non-resident property elector, you must also provide proof of property ownership, such as:
     • A property tax notice or assessment notice.
     • A written consent form from the majority of property owners if the property is jointly owned.

District of Tumbler Ridge Mail Ballots Bylaw No. 711, 2022

Key Dates and Deadlines:

• Mail Ballot Application Deadline: Applications to vote by mail must be submitted between March 26, 2025 4:00 PM and, April 10, 2025 (two days before Election Day).
• Mail Ballot Return Deadline: Completed mail ballots must be received by the Chief Election Officer no later than the close of voting on Election Day (April 12, 2025, at 8:00 PM).

How to Apply for a Mail Ballot:

1. Application Period: Applications can be submitted starting 7 days before the first day of advance voting (March 26, 2025) and ending at 4:00 PM on April 10, 2025.

2. Application Process: Applicants must provide their name and address to the Chief Election Officer or a designated person. This can be done in person, by mail, or through an authorized person.

• Authorized Person: If you cannot pick up or return the mail ballot package yourself, you may authorize someone to do so on your behalf. The authorized person may need to show identification and sign this form. (link?)

3. Mail Ballot Package: Once the application is approved, the Chief Election Officer will provide a mail ballot package, which includes:
   • A ballot.
   • A secrecy envelope.
   • A certification envelope.
   • Instructions for completing and returning the ballot.

Returning Your Mail Ballot:

1. Mark Your Ballot: Follow the instructions provided in the mail ballot package to mark your ballot.

2. Seal the Ballot:
   • Place the marked ballot in the secrecy envelope and seal it.
   • Place the secrecy envelope in the certification envelope, complete and sign the certification, and seal it.
   • Place the certification envelope in the outer envelope and seal it.

3. Return the Ballot: Mail or deliver the outer envelope to the Chief Election Officer at the specified address. Ensure it is received by 8:00 PM on April 12, 2025.

Important Notes:

• Replacement Ballots: If you spoil your mail ballot, you can request a replacement by returning the spoiled ballot package to the Chief Election Officer and requesting a new one.
• Ballot Acceptance/Rejection: Ballots will be accepted or rejected based on the completeness of the certification, the elector’s eligibility, and whether the ballot is received by the deadline.