Overlapping B.C. Elections Create Confusion for Voters

British Columbians will head to the polls twice within one week this month, prompting concerns from municipal and provincial candidates about voter confusion and pressure on campaign resources.

Local elections are scheduled for Oct. 17, when voters will choose mayors, councillors, school trustees and other local representatives. The provincial election follows on Oct. 24, with voters selecting 93 members of the legislature. Provincial advance voting also overlaps with the municipal election period.

Candidates in several communities say some voters have mixed up election dates, offices and even the level of government candidates are seeking to represent. Municipal campaigns have also reported competition with provincial parties for volunteers and election workers, raising concerns that smaller local races could receive less attention.

The overlap resulted from NDP Leader David Eby’s decision to call an early provincial election after municipal campaigning was already underway. The Union of B.C. Municipalities criticized the timing, while Eby has said he believes voters are capable of participating in both elections.

Elections B.C. says it has received more applications for election workers than during the previous provincial campaign, although recruitment is continuing in some rural and remote communities. The agency has not yet assessed what effect, if any, the overlapping elections will have on participation.