B.C. voters have started returning ballots for B.C.’s referendum on proportional representation. File photo.
Only one per cent of referendum ballots have been filled out, returned and screened, according to the latest return report from Elections BC.
As of Nov. 6, 33, 463 out of 3,290,372 eligible voters had sent in their ballot packages.
The riding-by-riding breakdown in the report shows that of those ballots received, some of the highest numbers have come from Vancouver Island, one of the first regions to receive the packages.
So far, the highest number of ballots has come from Courtenay-Comox at 2,103, followed by the North Island electoral district where 1,825 voters have returned a ballot. In Nanaimo-North Cowichan, 1,748 ballot packages have been sent to Elections BC while the Nanaimo electoral district is close behind at 1,642.
Eight electoral districts had not returned a voting package by Tuesday but none of them are on Vancouver Island.
This is the third time voters in B.C. have cast ballots on electoral reform. The votes held in 2005 and 2009 failed.
The latest referendum requires a 50-per-cent-plus-one majority to pass and asks B.C. residents if they want to change the electoral system to a form of proportional representation or keep the current first-past-the-post method.
The referendum also asks those who vote Yes to rank their preference of three systems of proportional representation, which includes dual-member proportional, mixed-member proportional or rural-urban proportional.
Voters can return their ballot to Elections BC by mail or in person at Service BC offices. . Ballot packages must be received by Elections BC at 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 30, 2018.
Elections BC said the initial rollout of the voting packages is done. However, there may be people who have recently moved who have not updated their address or have recently come of age. Anyone who did not receive a voting package by Nov. 2, 2018, have until midnight, Nov. 23, 2018, to request one. Either visit elections.bc.ca/ovr, call 1-800-661-8683 or visit a Service BC Centre or REferendum Service Office.
Premier John Horgan and Opposition Liberal Leader Andrew Wilkinson will participate in a televised referendum debate on the issue on Nov. 8.
With files from The Canadian Press
CHEK News
