Elections

The next General Local Election is on Saturday October 15, 2022

Elections for Electoral Area Directors to represent the electoral areas within the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine (RDKS) occur every four (4) years. The next General Local Election will be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022.

2022 Notice of Nomination

The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine is composed of 12 individuals; six Electoral Areas:

Electoral Area “A” - is generally described as the area commencing just north of Bell II, south to north of Rosswood, west to the Portland Canal, east to the easterly boundary of the Skeena and Nass watersheds.

It includes the following communities: Alice Arm, Bell II, Gingolx, Gitwinsihlkw, Kitsault, Laxgalts’ap, Meziadin, Nass Camp, New Aiyansh
Electoral Area “B” - is generally described as the area commencing north of the Upper Kispiox Valley, south to Moricetown, west of Cedarvale, east to the Hazeltons.

It includes the following communities: Cedarvale, Gitanyow, Gitwangak, Glen Vowell, Kispiox Valley, Kispiox Village, Kitwanga, Moricetown, South Hazelton, Two Mile, Gitsegukla, portion of Gitanmaax, Hagwilget
Electoral Area “C” - is generally described as the area commencing north of Rosswood, south to Hecate Straight, west of Salvus, east to west of Cedarvale.

It includes the following communities: Brauns Island, Butedale, Chimdemash, Copperside, Dutch Valley, Gitaus, Gossan, Jackpine Flats, Kemano, Kitasoo/Klemtu, Kitima’at Village, Kitsumkalum, Kleanza, Lakelse Lake, New Remo, North Terrace, Old Remo, Rosswood, Usk
Electoral Area “D” - is generally described as the area commencing north to between Iskut and the Stikine Rivers; south to north of Bell II, west to the Alaska Panhandle and east from the Gladys Ridge Ecological Reserve.

It includes the following communities: Bob Quinn, Glenora, Iskut, Tatogga, Telegraph Creek
Electoral Area “E” – is generally described as the community of Thornhill.

It includes the following community: Kulspai
Electoral Area “F” - is generally described as the area commencing 75 kilometers north of Dease Lake, south to between Iskut and the Stikine River, west to 20 kilometers east of Telegraph Creek.

It includes the following community: Dease Lake

and five Municipal partners: the City of Terrace (2 Directors are appointed), District of Kitimat, District of Stewart, District of Hazelton, Village of Hazelton.

As part of the General Local Election system in British Columbia, Electoral Area Directors may be elected by acclamation (in the case of a single qualified candidate) or by voting (where there is more
than one qualified candidate). Each Municipal Director on the Board of Directors is appointed by their respective Council from amongst their elected members.

By-elections may be held if the office of a director or commissioner becomes vacant.

In addition to elections and by-elections, the RDKS may also hold an assent vote (referendum) to obtain the assent of the electors on a proposed service or other matter.

Key Dates:
Voting Dates and Locations

Voting Opportunities for Electoral Area B

General Voting will be held on:

Saturday, October 15, 2022 - 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the following locations:

Kitwanga Valley Recreation Centre, 3754 Mill Road, Kitwanga
Gitanyow Independent School, 4th Avenue, Gitanyow
Gitsegukla United Church, 190 Cascade Ave, Gitsegukla BC
Mount Rocher Church, 2060 Broadway Street, South Hazelton
Erwin Stege Community Center, 4633 10th Avenue, New Hazelton, BC
Riverboat Building, 4265 Government Street, Village of Hazelton
Glen Vowell Band Office, 7900 Sik-e-dakh Road, Sik-e-dakh
Anspayaxw Health Unit,1405 Mary Blackwater Drive, Kispiox
Kispiox Valley Community Centre Association (rodeo grounds), 2489 Kispiox Valley Road
Moricetown Band Office, 205 Beaver Road, Moricetown

Advance voting opportunity will be held on:

Wednesday, October 5, 2022 - 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Erwin Stege Community Center, 4633 10th Avenue, New Hazelton, BC
Riverboat building, 4265 Government Street, Village of Hazelton
Kitwanga Valley Rec Centre, 3754 Mill Road, Kitwanga

Voting Opportunities for Electoral Area C

General Voting will be held on:

Saturday, October 15, 2022 - 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the following locations:

Northwest Trades & Employment Training Centre, 3120 Highway 16 East, Thornhill
Terrace Sportsplex Banquet Room, 3320 Kalum Street, Terrace
Rosswood Community Hall, 4145 Kalum Lake Drive, Rosswood
Haisla Nation Council, 500 Gitksan, Haisla, B.C

Advance Voting opportunity will be held on:

Wednesday, October 5 & 12, 2022 - 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Terrace Sportsplex Multipurpose Room, 3320 Kalum Street, Terrace

Voting Opportunities for Electoral Area E

General Voting will be held on:

Saturday, October 15, 2022 - 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the following locations:

Northwest Trades & Employment Training Centre, 3120 Highway 16 East, Thornhill
Terrace Sportsplex Banquet Room, 3320 Kalum Street, Terrace

Advance Voting opportunity will be held on:

Wednesday, October 5 & 12, 2022 - 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Terrace Sportsplex Multipurpose Room, 3320 Kalum Street, Terrace

Candidate Resources

Elections BC administers campaign financing, disclosure, and election advertising rules under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act. New campaign financing and advertising rules are in effect for the 2022 local general election. Candidates, electoral organizations, and third-party advertisers are responsible for knowing the rules. For more information visit the Elections BC website.

Candidates and third-party sponsors have expense limits that apply during the campaign period. Expense limits for the 2022 election will be announced on May 31, 2022. Candidate Expense Limits for Islands Trust are available on the Elections BC website. Third-Party Expense Limits for Islands Trust are
also available on the Elections BC website.

All candidates are required to submit their financial disclosure documents to Elections BC for verification and publication, in compliance with the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act. We can view financial disclosure statements on the Elections BC website, when available.

Elector organizations are required to register with Elections BC in order to endorse a candidate in an election, receive a campaign contribution, and incur an election expense. Please visit the Elections BC website for additional information.

For any questions regarding campaign financing, disclosure and advertising rules, please contact Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683 or electoral.finance@elections.bc.ca.

If you’re thinking of running for local office part of the decision-making process may include considering
the role you will play, how best you can serve your community and the impact you will have as an elected official.

These videos give potential candidates information to help them with answers to questions that they may have before making the decision to run for local office.

https://youtu.be/PkugVjEHa3U
https://youtu.be/oXjKeOJsvpI
https://youtu.be/mXrEa8Us0Os
https://youtu.be/RFSPJZbqOT8
https://youtu.be/zatST8cw_Iw

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing has released a series of videos: Being an effective elected
official - Province of British Columbia for the 2022 General Local Elections to help prospective candidates navigate the election process:

Overview of B.C. General Local Elections 2022
Participants in B.C. General Local Elections 2022
Candidate Nominations in B.C. General Local Elections 2022
Voting and Taking Office in B.C. General Local Elections 2022

Nomination Documents
Electoral Area Candidate nomination packages for the 2022 General Local Election are available at the RDKS office at 300-4545 Lazelle Ave. or by email request to reneel@rdks.bc.ca from August 2, 2022 to the close of the nomination period. Nomination documents must be filed with the Deputy Chief Election Officer at the RDKS main office during the nomination period. Please make an appointment. The Nomination period starts at 9:00 am Tuesday August 30, 2022 and ends at 4:00 pm Friday September 9, 2022.

Voter Eligibility
All residents who meet the eligibility criteria listed below under Resident Electors can vote. People who own property within the voting jurisdiction but do not reside within the voting jurisdiction may also be eligible to vote.

Landed immigrants who are not yet Canadian citizens are not permitted to vote in civic Elections.

No corporation is entitled to be registered as an elector or have a representative registered as an elector and no corporation is entitled to vote.

Only residents and non-resident property owners are eligible to vote in the Election.

To vote in a civic Election within the voting jurisdiction, you must be at the time of voting:

At least 18 years of age on or before General Voting Day;
A Canadian citizen;
Have lived in BC for at least six months;
A resident of the voting jurisdiction for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration; and
Not disqualified from voting by any statute or law.
Tab Title: Non-Resident Property Electors

If you own property within the voting jurisdiction but do not reside within the voting jurisdiction, you may be eligible to vote as a non-resident property elector.

Non-Resident Property Electors will be required to produce two (2) pieces of identification (at least one with a signature) to prove identity (picture identification is not necessary), proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property (examples are tax notice, state of title certificate) and, if there is more than one owner of the property, written consent from the majority of the property
owners.

Voters are encouraged to have the written consent form completed and signed prior to voting day. You will be required to submit this form to vote as a non-resident property elector.

You will be required to make a declaration that you are:
• not eligible to register as a resident elector
• 18 years of age or older on general voting day for the election
• a Canadian Citizen
• a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of
registration:

o General Vote October 15, 2022 (April 15, 2022)
o Advance Vote October 5, 2022 (April 5, 2022)

• a registered owner of the real property within the voting jurisdiction for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration:

o General Vote October 15, 2022 (September 15, 2022)
o Advance Vote October 5, 2022 (September 5, 2022)

• a registered owner not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust
• not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an

election or otherwise disqualified by law from voting

Non-Resident Property Electors may not vote more than once within a voting jurisdiction regardless of the number of properties owned.

Voter’s Guide to Local Elections in B.C.

The Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine uses the Provincial Voters' List; therefore, if you are registered on the Provincial List, you are registered on the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine’s Electors' List. In any event, you can register at the polls by meeting the Elector criteria mentioned above and providing two pieces of identification proving residence and identity, and in the case of
non-resident property electors, proof of ownership.

Get on the Provincial Voter's List or update your information:
https://eregister.electionsbc.gov.bc.ca/ovr/#

Classes of documents that may be accepted as evidence of identification are:

BC Driver's Licence
BC Identification Card
BC Care Card
BC Gold Care Card
Credit Card
Debit Card
Canadian Passport
Property Tax Notice
Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
Government Issued Military Identification Card
Firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence
Certificate of Indian Status
Current Utility Bill – Containing Elector's Name and Address
Owners Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence (issued by ICBC)
Other documents sufficient to satisfy the Chief Election Officer

Note: Combination BC Services Card and BC Driver's Licence only count as one document

Mail Ballot Voting

All eligible electors within the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine (RDKS), may choose to vote by mail in the 2022 General Local Elections. Complete this Mail Ballot Application Form and mail, fax or e-mail to the Regional District of Kitimat-Stikine, 300-4545 Lazelle Avenue, Terrace, B.C., V8G 4E1
Fax: 250-635-9222 / E-Mail: reneel@rdks.bc.ca no later than Friday, October 7, 2022 if you would like the package mailed; or no later than Thursday, October 13, 2022 if you intend to pick the package up at Regional District office.

If your application is filled out correctly, the Chief Election Officer will send you a mail ballot package by regular mail or your package will be made available for pick up at the Regional District office on or before October 13, 2022.

You are responsible for ensuring that your completed ballot and any supporting documentation is received at the Regional District office no later than 4:00 p.m. on Friday, October 14, 2022; or hand-delivered or couriered to the Chief Election Officer at Terrace Sportsplex, 3320 Kalum Street, Terrace and received no later than 8:00 p.m. on General Voting Day, Saturday, October 15, 2022.

For more information, phone the Regional District office at 250-615-6100 or the Chief Election Officer at 250-635-1907 or send an e-mail to reneel@rdks.bc.ca

Contact Information
Cathy Jackson, Chief Election Officer 250-635-1907
Renee Lukasser, Deputy Chief Election Officer 250-615-6100 (1-800-667-1959)
info@rdks.bc.ca