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Difference between revisions of "The Right to Vote (5:VII)"
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and municipal elections. | and municipal elections. | ||
== B | == B. British Columbia Provincial Elections == | ||
Eligibility requirements for BC provincial elections are outlined in the ''Election Act'', RSBC 1996, c 106. A student should consult this Act if a client has a specific problem as the Act is too lengthy to be discussed in detail in this chapter. | Eligibility requirements for BC provincial elections are outlined in the ''Election Act'', RSBC 1996, c 106. A student should consult this Act if a client has a specific problem as the Act is too lengthy to be discussed in detail in this chapter. | ||
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Upon arrival at the polling station, the voter must sign his or her name in a voting book (s 274), and confirm present address. Refusing to comply with this demand will disqualify the voter. Upon receiving a ballot, the voter proceeds to a screened compartment, marks the ballot and returns the ballot to the Returning Officer, who, in full view of the voter, must place the ballot in the ballot box. The voting must be by a secret ballot as per section 90. Each individual present at a voting place, including people such as voters and ballot counters, must not interfere with an individual marking a ballot, attempt to discover how an individual voted, or communicate information regarding how another person voted or marked their ballot. The voter is then required to leave the premises. | Upon arrival at the polling station, the voter must sign his or her name in a voting book (s 274), and confirm present address. Refusing to comply with this demand will disqualify the voter. Upon receiving a ballot, the voter proceeds to a screened compartment, marks the ballot and returns the ballot to the Returning Officer, who, in full view of the voter, must place the ballot in the ballot box. The voting must be by a secret ballot as per section 90. Each individual present at a voting place, including people such as voters and ballot counters, must not interfere with an individual marking a ballot, attempt to discover how an individual voted, or communicate information regarding how another person voted or marked their ballot. The voter is then required to leave the premises. | ||
== | == C. Federal Elections == | ||
The rules and regulations governing federal elections are set out in the ''Canada Elections Act'', RSC 2000, c 9, and its subsequent amendments. Many of these rules and regulations are similar to those applicable to BC provincial elections discussed above. A brief survey of the federal Act is included below. | The rules and regulations governing federal elections are set out in the ''Canada Elections Act'', RSC 2000, c 9, and its subsequent amendments. Many of these rules and regulations are similar to those applicable to BC provincial elections discussed above. A brief survey of the federal Act is included below. | ||
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}} | }} | ||
'''Note:''' Canada's federal election laws were recently overhauled by the controversial ''Fair Elections Act'', which received royal assent in June 2014. Most provisions of the Fair Elections Act have come into force | '''Note:''' Canada's federal election laws were recently overhauled by the controversial ''Fair Elections Act'', which received royal assent in June 2014. Most provisions of the Fair Elections Act have come into force. | ||
Major changes to the ''Canada Election Act'' include provisions intended to increase penalties for offences, reduce voter fraud, and empower political parties to drive voter turnout. Specific changes include removing vouching in favour of an oath system where a voter has identification but cannot prove current residence; moving investigations from Elections Canada to the Director of Public Prosecutions; limiting the powers of Elections Canada; increasing donation limits; adding constraints on robocalls; and some changes to third-party advertising. | Major changes to the ''Canada Election Act'' include provisions intended to increase penalties for offences, reduce voter fraud, and empower political parties to drive voter turnout. Specific changes include removing vouching in favour of an oath system where a voter has identification but cannot prove current residence; moving investigations from Elections Canada to the Director of Public Prosecutions; limiting the powers of Elections Canada; increasing donation limits; adding constraints on robocalls; and some changes to third-party advertising. | ||
== D. Municipal Elections == | |||
== | |||
Municipal election procedures are outlined in the ''Local Government Act'', RSBC 1996, c 323, beginning at section 33. Please note, however, that elections in the City of Vancouver are governed by a separate provincial act, the ''Vancouver Charter'', SBC 1953, c 55. | Municipal election procedures are outlined in the ''Local Government Act'', RSBC 1996, c 323, beginning at section 33. Please note, however, that elections in the City of Vancouver are governed by a separate provincial act, the ''Vancouver Charter'', SBC 1953, c 55. | ||
