Notice of Advance Voting & Election by Voting

Who can vote?

You can vote as either a resident elector or a non-resident property elector if you are:

• 18 years of age or older on general voting day (October 15, 2022);
• A Canadian citizen;
• A resident of B.C. for at least 6 months at time of voting;
• Not disqualified by law from voting;
• if a resident elector, a resident of the District of Tofino;
• and, if a non-resident property elector:
  • not entitled to register as a resident elector;
  • have been a registered owner of real property in the District of Tofino for at least 30 days immediately before you register;
  • if applicable, have written consent from the majority of owners to register as the property’s elector;
  • may only register in relation to one property;
  • corporations that own property are not entitled to vote as per section 64(3) of the Local Government Act.

If you are not on the voters list, you can register at the time of voting (in person or by mail) by completing an application. To register, resident electors must produce two (2) pieces of identification (at least one with a signature). Picture identification is not necessary. The identification must prove both residency and identity.

To register, non-resident property electors must produce two (2) pieces of identification (at least one with a signature) to prove identity and residency in British Columbia, proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property, and, if there is more than one owner of the property, written consent from the majority of the property owners.

Mail ballot voting

All eligible electors may vote by mail ballot in the Tofino 2022 General Local Election. Mail Ballot voting provides electors the ability to register to vote and cast a ballot by mail, rather than casting their ballot in person at the voting place on advance or general voting day.

Requesting a mail ballot

Eligible electors can request a Mail Ballot between September 28, 2022, until 4:00 PM on Thursday, October 13, 2022. You must complete and submit an “Application to Vote by Mail” to receive a Mail Ballot. Application forms are available online at tofinovotes.ca or at the Tofino Municipal Hall. Applications can be submitted by email to ac.onifot@noitcele or in person at the Tofino Municipal Hall at 121 Third Street, Tofino, BC during regular business hours, or by mail to:

Attention: Chief Election Officer
Corporate Services
District of Tofino
121 Third Street
PO Box 9
Tofino, BC, V0R 2Z0

Your application must be approved by the Chief Election Officer before you receive a Mail Ballot. If there are any issues with your application, a member of the elections team will contact you. Please note that the eligibility of an elector that received a Mail Ballot can be challenged until 4:00 PM on Thursday, October 13, 2022.

On the application form, you can select the method of delivery for your Mail Ballot package. There are three options:

1. You can pick up your Mail Ballot package from the election staff at the Tofino Municipal Hall during regular business hours.
2. You can designate a third-party to pick up a Mail Ballot package for you from the election staff at the Tofino Municipal Hall during regular business hours.
3. You can have the Mail Ballot package mailed to you. Mail Ballots will be sent via Canada Post regular mail.

The last day to submit an “Application to Vote by Mail” and receive a Mail Ballot is October 13, 2022, at 4:00 PM.

The District of Tofino will begin mailing the Mail Ballot Voting packages once the ballots have been printed and received.

Returning your mail ballot

Voters are responsible for ensuring that completed Mail Ballots are received by the Chief Election Officer before the close of General Voting Day as of 8:00 PM on October 15, 2022. A mail ballot may be returned by one of the following methods:

1. By mail to:
   Attention: Chief Election Officer
   Corporate Services
   District of Tofino
   121 Third Street
   PO Box 9
   Tofino, BC, V0R 2Z0
2. In person by 4:00 PM on October 14, 2022, to:
   Tofino Municipal Hall
   121 Third Street
   Tofino, BC
3. In person at the voting place (Council Chamber, Municipal Hall, at 380 Campbell Street) on advance voting day, October 5, 2022, or general voting day, October 15, 2022, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM. If you are unable to enter the voting place, please call 250-725-3229 ext. 610 and election staff can meet you by your vehicle in front of the voting place.