issue 4// vol 47 news // no. 5 The student's guide to voting by mail » Everything you need to know before you vote Joe Aryes Social Media Coordinator snap-election has been called in BC with voting day set for October 24 and advanced voting starting on October 15. This is also the first year that voting by mail is an accessible option to all British Columbians—made available due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, call-in voting is an option for those unable to vote by mail or in case of an emergency (for those who qualify). Voting in-person is still an option, with social distancing measures in place. The easiest way to get your vote- by-mail package is to do so online. This system, run by Elections BC, allows you to register to vote and to request a vote-by- mail package. Additionally, for those who are underage but want to be automatically registered for when they're 18, there is an option to register as a future voter. “During a pandemic, vote-by-mail is a good option for voters with underlying health conditions and for voters who do not wish to vote in person at a voting place,” says Election BC’s online voter registration page. In order to register you need your Oh snap! » BC premier calls for surprise election next month Jessica Berget Assistant Editor fter weeks of the looming possibility of snap election, on Monday September 21, BC premier and NDP leader John Horgan announced that one will be coming up on October 24. Even though BC has an election date coming up in October 2021, Horgan says waiting another year would be “time wasted.” It is a controversial move which many have criticized in the middle of a pandemic, but Horgan has contested those complaints: “This pandemic will be with us for a year or more, and that’s why I believe we need to have an election now,’ he said ina live news conference. “We can either delay that decision and create uncertainty cc and instability over the next 12 months [... ] or we can do what I believe is always the right thing and ask British Columbians what they think.” The election has been called because of what Horgan calls “acrimony” and “contempt” between the NDP and opposition parties which complicates and distracts from managing and recovering with the pandemic. Horgan’s solution to “put the politics behind?” is an election. Many have criticized Horgan’s decision for holding an election during a pandemic as selfish and irresponsible. BC Liberal leader Andrew Wilkinson is a strong voice in this criticism to, calling the move “cynical.” In a CTV News BC article, he says: “The only reason for this general election is to try to secure the jobs of the NDP. The decision by John Horgan and the NDP to call this election at this time is not just irresponsible. It’s just plain wrong,” he said. Fellow leader Sonia Furstenau of the BC Green Party had similar sentiments: “Let’s be clear, this is about him and his party putting their fortunes ahead of British Columbians at a time when people are worried about their jobs, their financial security, their children, and their health.” Echoing that opinion, a recent Angus Reid survey poll indicated if an election was held the NDP could secure a massive victory because of Horgan’s positive public image in dealing with coronavirus. The survey suggested the NDP would receive 48 percent of votes, 29 percent for the Liberals, and 14 percent for the Green party. A political scientist from the BC driver’s license number, your BC identification card number, and the last six digits of your social insurance number—or the last six digits of your personal health number. You will also need to provide your email and phone number so you can be reached by Elections BC. When you get your vote-by-mail package it will contain a ballot, a sleeve to keep your vote secret, a certification envelope, and a return envelope. All you'll need to do is fill in the ballot with your vote, put your ballot in the secrecy sleeve, put that into the certification envelope, and finally, put that all in the return envelope. Detailed instructions with diagrams can be found through a link on this page. Only Canadian citizens that are 18 or over are eligible to vote. It’s important to note that only ballots received by October 24 at 8 pm will be counted. To ensure your vote is counted you should mail it before October 24 but not before October 15. No postage will be required if you're sending your ballot from anywhere in Canada. Elections BC is projecting that 30 to 35 percent of votes in the upcoming election will be cast by mail, when in the previous election it was only 1 percent. Ina press release, Elections BC said, “Depending on the volume of returned vote-by-mail packages, it may be necessary to extend the period after the close of voting and before the final count of absentee ballots.” Registration to vote in the upcoming provincial election ended September 26. As of September 20, 2020 there were roughly 3.46 million registered voters in BC. University of Fraser Valley, Hamish Telford, said in an Global News interview that the NDP may be gambling with their high approval rating in an attempt to get majority seats in government. “He’s the most popular premier in the country right now, largely because of his response to COVID,’ said Telford. “He’s had a very able health minister in Adrian Dix, and of course Dr. Bonnie Henry has become a folk hero in BC. So, he wants to be able to parlay his minority government into a majority at this time,” he said. Whether this election will fare well for the NDP is undetermined till come election day. Elections BC says there will be advance voting available from October 15 to October 21 and are also reminding voters they can cast ballots by mail. Fellow leader Sonia Furstenau of the B.C. Green Party had similar sentiments: “Let's be clear, this is about him and his party putting their fortunes ahead of British Columbians at a time when people are wotried about their jobs, their financial security, their children, and their health.”