With Burnaby residents being able to vote by mail for the first time during the upcoming municipal election in October, here's what residents should know.
How to get an application package
Residents wishing to vote by mail can receive an application the following ways. You can apply to vote by mail from Sept. 1, 2022, until Oct. 6, 2022.
- Apply online or complete a paper application (online and paper applications will be available as of Sept. 1, 2022)
- Contact the Burnaby election office and ask for an application to be mailed to you before Oct. 6, 2022, at noon
- Burnaby elections office can be reached at 604-294-7088 or by email at elections@burnaby.ca
- Pick up an application package at Christine Sinclair Community Centre, Burnaby City Hall, any Burnaby public library or W.A.C. Bennet Library at SFU
What's included in an application package?
The city says mail ballot packages include an instruction letter, list of acceptable I.D., mail ballot application, form to register as an elector, form to register as a non-resident elector, non-resident property elector consent form and an envelope to return complete documents.
When will mail ballots be sent out or available for pick up?
The city says mail ballot packages will be available for pick up or sent out by mail starting at 8:30 a.m. on Sept. 24. The last day a package will be mailed out is Oct. 6 to ensure time for delivery before the ballot must be returned.
Mail ballots must be returned to the election office by 8 p.m. on Oct. 15. Post marks will not be accepted.
A mail ballot package can be mailed to your residential address, picked up at Christine Sinclair Community Centre or picked up by a designated person on your behalf (two pieces of acceptable I.D. will be required).
What is in the mail ballot package?
The city says a mail ballot package will include instructions for completing the mail ballot package, a mail ballot, a secrecy envelope for returning the ballot (envelope A), a certification envelope (envelope B) for returning the secrecy envelope, an outer envelope (envelope C) for returning everything to the election office and a booklet of forms in the event a voter requires assistance with translation services or assistance with completing the ballot.
The city also announced in partnership with School District #41, the city is asking local students to participate in an art competition to design wraps for mail ballot boxes, with a theme of "It's 2022 - Why Vote?"
