REQUEST FOR DECISION
DATE: November 2, 2018 Report No. ADM-18-028
TO: Laurie Hurst, Chief Administrative Officer
FROM: Anja Nurvo, Director of Corporate Services and Chief Election Officer
SUBJECT:
Title
2018 General Local Election Report End
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
1. That the 2018 General Local Election Report, Staff Report No. ADM-18-028 from the Chief Election Officer, be received for information, which Report includes the following attachments:
(1) Declaration of Official Election Results - Mayor
(2) Declaration of Official Election Results - Councillor
(3) Determination of Official Election Results, General Local Election - 2018
(4) Ballot Account for Advance Voting October 10, 2018,
(5) Ballot Account for Advance Voting October 17, 2018, and
(6) Ballot Account for General Voting October 20, 2018; and
2. That the Elector Registration Bylaw, 2005, No. 2618 be repealed.
Body
RELEVANT POLICY:
Local Government Act
Election Procedures and Automated Vote Counting System Authorization Bylaw, 2018, No. 2928
Elector Registration Bylaw, No. 2618
STRATEGIC RELEVANCE:
This Request for Decision does not relate directly to any strategic priority.
BACKGROUND:
Section 158 of the Local Government Act states that within 30 days after the declaration of official election results, the Chief Election Officer must submit a report of the election results to the local government. The Report must include a compilation of the information on the ballot accounts for the election.
Section 159 of the Act requires that within 30 days after elected candidates have taken office, the names of the elected officials must be submitted to the BC Gazette for publication.
As directed by Council, the previous election procedures bylaw was repealed and the revised Election Procedures and Automated Vote Counting System Authorization Bylaw, 2018, No. 2928 was adopted on May 28, 2018, providing that a Special Voting opportunity be provided at Sunset Lodge and that the Provincial Voters List shall be the register of resident electors. However, existing Bylaw 2618, cited as “Elector Registration Bylaw, 2005, No. 2618”, which provides for voting day registration of electors, should also have been repealed by the new Bylaw. Staff recommends that Bylaw No. 2618 be repealed at this time since it is inconsistent with the use of the Voters List provided for in the new Bylaw No. 2928.
In accordance with Council direction, the 2018 local government election was the first time the Township of Esquimalt had used the Provincial Voters List and offered a Special Voting opportunity. Staff will be preparing a report early in 2019, to be reviewed at a Committee of the Whole meeting, summarizing the impacts, advantages and disadvantages of these two new processes, as well as reviewing other issues that arose during this election, for Council’s information and further direction.
In accordance with the requirements of the Local Government Act, staff has ensured that all election materials are securely retained and stored, and will arrange for secure destruction of the materials following the mandatory retention period.
ISSUES:
1. Rationale for Selected Option
This Staff Report is in compliance with the requirements of the Local Government Act regulating the conduct of local government elections, including required reporting of the results.
2. Organizational Implications
There are no organizational implications.
3. Financial Implications
There are no financial implications, beyond the approved budget required for the local government election. School District 61 will reimburse the Township for one-third of the Township’s election expenses pursuant to a cost-sharing agreement entered into under the Local Government Act.
4. Sustainability & Environmental Implications
There are no sustainability or environmental implications.
5. Communication & Engagement
Following the close of the polls on General Voting Day on October 20, 2018, the unofficial results of the election were posted to the Township’s website and provided to CivicInfo BC. The results of the School Trustee election were provided to the Chief Election Officer for School District 61.
On October 23, 2018, the Declaration of Official Election Results was completed and the information was posted on the Township’s website, and provided to School District 61, CivicInfo BC and Elections BC. Notice of the official election results was submitted to the BC Gazette for publication after the new Council took office. This Report to the Township Council is the final step in the reporting requirements set out in the Local Government Act.
ALTERNATIVES:
1. (1) That the 2018 General Local Election Report, Staff Report No. ADM-18-028 from the Chief Election Officer, be received for information; and
(2) That the Elector Registration Bylaw, 2005, No. 2618 be repealed.
2. That Council request further information from staff.