2008 News and Information
City Campaigns for High Voter Turnout
04 November 2008There are approximately 125,000 registered electors in Richmond this year and the City is encouraging all of them to vote in the upcoming civic election Saturday, November 15.
The City’s Election Office is conducting a wide-spread campaign, with prominent notices on bus shelters and in local media exhorting Richmond residents to vote, in addition to a wealth of information published in the Voters Guide, mailed to all Richmond households, and available in four languages. The campaign is designed to improve upon the 2005 voter turnout of 25.72 percent. Similar campaigns are being run in other Lower Mainland municipalities.
In 2005, there were 116,821 registered electors in Richmond. In the 2002 civic election, results were slightly more positive, with 33.65 percent of the 78,840 registered electors in Richmond voting. Eligible electors are able to register on voting day with the appropriate identification.
Statistics show that people are least likely to vote in local government elections compared with provincial and federal elections. As well, this year Richmond residents could be suffering from “election overload” with last month’s federal election and next spring’s provincial election, and even Tuesday’s presidential election in the United States, all competing for attention. Yet local government has the greatest impact on citizens’ lives, responsible for day-to-day services: drinking water, waste management, local roads and trails, culture, recreation, sustainable land use and public safety.
To make it easy for eligible electors to cast their ballot, the City offers a variety of ways to vote, from mail in ballots and curb side voting to advance polls and mobile voting. For complete details, visit the Election section on the city’s website, www.richmond.ca, call the Election Office at 604-276-4100, or visit City Hall at 6911 No. 3 Road.
General local and school election day is Saturday, November 15, 2008, for the mayor and eight council seats, as well as seven school trustee positions, each for a three-year term. Voting places throughout the City are open from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Voters can find their polling station by entering their address on the city website (Elections 2008>Voter Information>Where do I vote). In addition, all registered electors will receive a voting place card in the mail, which will indicate the location of their assigned voting place. Advance voting is scheduled for November 5, 6, 8, 12 and 13, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., at City Hall, (6911 No. 3 Road).
