Surrey election officer outlines expanded advance voting and 100-candidate ballot

Surrey Chief Election Officer Gib van Ert says the city will offer 10 advance voting locations for the Oct. 17 civic election, up from six in 2022. The four advance voting days — Oct. 7, 10, 14 and 15 — are unchanged from the last election, but the number of locations represents a 67 per cent increase.

Van Ert said the additional sites respond to growing demand for advance voting. About 35,000 electors voted in advance in 2022, nearly 30 per cent of the approximately 123,000 votes cast. He said the city expects the expanded access may increase advance voting again, though the outcome remains to be seen.

The ballot includes 100 candidates for mayor, city council and school trustee positions, announced Sept. 11. Van Ert said he did not know whether that was a Surrey record, but it exceeds the totals in both 2022 and 2018. Of the candidates, 67 are seeking council seats, which he described as the largest increase.

Under the Local Government Act, the chief election officer is responsible for conducting the local election. Van Ert, a lawyer and partner at Olthuis van Ert, which is based in Vancouver and Ottawa, said the city team handles much of the work while he makes certain strategic, operational and statutory decisions.

The city handles election signs placed too close to polling places, while Elections BC is responsible for sign content. Signs are permitted on private property but not on city property, including parks and community centres, where the city enforces the rules.

Polls close at 8 p.m. on Oct. 17, although people already in line at that time will be allowed to vote. Van Ert said voting machines allow results to be tabulated quickly; preliminary results began arriving at about 9:30 p.m. in 2022 and were posted on the city website.

Registered voters should bring a voting card and one piece of identification. People who are not registered may register on voting day by bringing two pieces of identification demonstrating that they are Canadian citizens, live in Surrey and are at least 18 years old. A list of acceptable identification is available at surrey.ca.