The City of Richmond is making it easier than ever for voters to make their mark in this year's civic elections. A record nine advance voting opportunities are available this year for Richmond voters, including four different voting locations on our Super Saturday November 12.
Any qualified voter is eligible to vote during the numerous advance voting opportunities for this year's civic election or on general election day on November 19.
Richmond's Election Office is kicking off voting by going to university. The first advance voting opportunity will be held on Tuesday, November 8 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Kwantlen Polytechnic University's Richmond campus.
"Young adult voters have one of the lowest participation rates in civic elections," says Richmond's Chief Election Officer David Weber. "We're hoping that by allowing Kwantlen students to vote on campus during a normal day for classes, we can significantly increase their participation."
Advance voting continues on Wednesday November 9 and Thursday November 10, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day at Richmond City Hall at 6911 No. 3 Road.
Then it's on to Super Saturday. From 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Saturday, November 12, Richmond voters can cast an early ballot at their choice of one of the four locations below:
- Cambie Community Centre, 12800 Cambie Road
- Library/Cultural Centre, 7700 Minoru Gate
- McMath Secondary School, 4251 Garry Street
- McRoberts Secondary School, 8980 Williams Road
Advance voting opportunities wrap up two with final opportunities on Tuesday, November 15 at Richmond City Hall, 6911 No. 3 Road, and at the Richmond Olympic Oval, 6111 River Road.
"We know people lead busy lives and not everyone will find it convenient to get to the polls on November 19th," adds Weber. "That's why we're offering more advance voting opportunities this year. And there's no restrictions, as long as you are an eligible voter you can take advantage of the advance voting opportunities."
Expanded advance voting opportunities is just one the ways Richmond is working to make voting easier and increase turnout.
A new "Vote anywhere" initiative means eligible voters can choose to cast their ballot at any one of the 32 voting places that will be open on general election day, November 19. Voting places will also be located in high traffic areas such as local malls, the popular Watermania aquatic centre and the busy Library/Cultural Centre complex in Minoru Park. Previously, voters were required to vote at their neighbourhood voting place.
The City is also making more information available to voters as well. A Voter's Guide mailed to all City households and the Election section on the City's website have been expanded to offer profiles of all the candidates seeking office. The City also has a Facebook page dedicated to election information.
Voting accessibility has also been made easier through a new ballot marking device which will be available at designated voting places and allows people with a wide variety of disabilities to mark their own ballot.
Complete details on the civic election can be accessed via the City's Election Facebook page at facebook.com/richmondvotes or the City's website at www.richmond.ca
