Vancouver candidates win right to use Chinese characters on municipal ballot

Seven candidates in Vancouver’s municipal election next month submitted nomination papers using both English and Chinese names, including OneCity candidates Iona Bonamis and Christopher Lee. Municipal candidates may use their “usual” names on the ballot, though authorities had previously sought to restrict non-Latin characters.

A provincial court judge ruled Friday that the city must permit all seven candidates to display both names. The decision took effect shortly before the city’s random ballot draw, which determines the order candidates’ names will appear for voters.

Bonamis said the ruling allows people to use a traditional name given to them at birth on an election ballot. Bonamis will appear as “Iona Bonamis 陶思穎” in the city council race, while Lee will appear as “Christopher Lee 李基鵬” in the school board trustee race.

Bonamis is among 56 candidates seeking 10 city council seats, and Lee is one of 31 school board trustee candidates. The ballot has 130 names this year: eight mayoral candidates, 56 council candidates, 35 park board candidates and 31 school board candidates.