With two elections happening in the same time period it can be challenging to keep them straight. SCI BC has put together this information to help you successfully vote in the provincial election. Find more information on accessible voting in the municipal elections.
We encourage all of our members to vote as many areas under provincial jurisdiction directly affect people with SCI and related disabilities:
- Health care
- Education
- Social Services, including PWD and medical equipment coverage for those who qualify
- Pharmacare
- Subsidized housing
- Transit
- Accessible BC Act
When doing your research on the political parties and local candidates, you can ask questions such as the following:
- What does accessibility mean to you?
- What personal or family experience do you have around disability or accessibility issues?
- Please talk about how the Accessible BC Act is being implemented in BC.
- What are your priorities for improving the lives of people with disabilities in BC and what is your plan to address these issues?
Elections BC maintains a comprehensive website with information about:
Accessibility
All voting places have a minimum level of physical accessibility. For those who cannot get into a polling station, curbside voting is available at all locations both advanced voting and general voting day. Voters will need to call the number posted in the parking area or ask someone to go in and request that an election official bring out the ballot.
People with limited hand function can request physical help to mark their ballot. This can be done by a family member or friend, who will need to sign a declaration, or by an election official.
Large print and Braille ballots are available on request. Sign language interpreters can accompany a voter.
Telephone voting is available but only for very specific circumstances. These include: voters with sight loss, voters whose health or disability makes it unsafe or otherwise prevents voting in another way, residents in long term care facilities, and hospital patients.
Call 1-800-661-8683 and identify that you are eligible to vote by phone. You will be guided through a verification process to prove your identity. Your ballot will be marked by a second official to protect your right to a secret ballot. Elections BC officials oversee this process to ensure your ballot is marked according to your wishes.
You can also vote at your district electoral office, which is open every day, save stat holidays, until voting day.
It is possible to vote by mail but the deadline to submit your request for a ballot to be mailed to you is Oct. 18. Your completed ballot must be received by Elections BC by the end of voting day on Oct. 24. It can be mailed back or dropped off in person at any polling place. Request your ballot at elections.bc.ca/votebymail or by calling 1-800-661-8683.
Heather Lamb, SCI BC’s InfoLine Services Lead spoke with CBC about what you need to know about accessible voting ahead of BC’s municipal and provincial elections.
