Elections BC is responding as some civic politicians raise the alarm over what they suspect will be a record low voter turn out in next month’s municipal elections.
As civic candidates call for Elections BC to help raise the profile of the local government elections spokesperson Andrew Watson says that would require a legislative change.
“We certainly encourage voters to participate in elections at all levels. Our mandate to encourage turn out at the provincial level is actually established in the legislation that we administer, in that case the provincial Election Act. We do not have any legislative mandate to educate the public about local elections or promote voter turn out in local elections.”
That said Watson says Elections BC does have a mandate to advertise about changes to local government campaign financing and advertising.
Between much stricter fundraising rules and an election day moved up by a month some candidates feel they don’t have enough time to campaign or enough money to raise their profile.