By Cheryl Jahn

Elections BC preparing for an election

Mar 5, 2024 | 3:12 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – Elections BC is getting itself ready for a provincial election, which is set for October 19th of this year. It is sending out pamphlets to households around the province, outlining their ridings.

“So the pamphlet Elections B.C. is ending is going to every address in the province,” explains Andrew Watson Senior Director, Communications for Elections BC. “We want to make sure that all voters know that there’s an election coming up, a provincial election coming up in October, on October 19th. And there are new ridings this election. So there’s going to be 93 in total across the province, up from 87 currently.”

According to a number of polls, the BC NDP would be re-elected if the election were to happen today. So it begs the question: is Premier David Eby is going to call an election earlier than October 19th and Elections BC is making sure everyone is ready.

ALL TIED UP

Cougars' head coach Lamb cites 'sloppy' effort after loss to Winterhawks

15h ago

BCSPCA

BCSPCA open house showcases our cutest community members who need help

Apr 27, 2024

Rural Healthcare

UNBC runners get active to support rural healthcare

Apr 27, 2024

“Premier [David] Eby, right now, has two choices either cause a spring election, which would have to be called quite soon, or he calls a fall election,” says Chris Beach, Political Science instructor at CNC. “And those are the only two choices he has left. And if he calls it in the spring, at least he’s in control of the situation and still has some choice. If he waits until the fall, he’s out of time and has to happen by October 19th.”

While the Premier committed to a fixed election, Beach says he is not beholden to that date.

BC went through an electoral reform in the spring of 2023 and, rather than eliminating under-represented ridings, the Province added ridings and changed the boundaries, including the addition of portions of College Heights to the Prince George-North Cariboo riding.

“This is a key piece of information for us in terms of what the ridings will be for voters,” says Watson. “It does impact the actual candidates they’re voting for come election time, and it also impacts the voting places that are closest to them. So knowing your riding really helps for that.”

Constitutionally, the election HAS to happen no later than October 19th, as that would mark four years since the BC NDP was elected into office.