The City of Prince George is looking to update some requirements and rules behind local elections in anticipation of the October 15th election, and they discussed it during last night’s (Monday) meeting.
Voting by mail is being added, a $100 refundable nomination deposit is required for anyone interested in running, the number of nominators has also been raised to 10, and some changes to sign location and enforcement are coming.
Councillor Garth Frizzell didn’t agree with the rising of nominator numbers.
“I do disagree, I think having low numbers of nominees hasn’t resulted in an excessive number of people running for office, or making it unwieldy. Because we’re all elected at large, instead of having wards. I found that the system has worked thus far.”
He stressed that keeping the number as low as possible helps level the playing field.
Councillor Brian Skakun asked for more details about mail in ballots, but it was noted more information was on the way.
He added that voting by mail could raise voting numbers.
“I think that’s an opportunity with mail in ballots, not only for people that are physically challenged, it could open up demographics for younger people to get voting, and some of our older folks. So I think the turnout we get, of whatever it is, like 30 something percent is quite low. I think if we do it right, and market this right, we could have a really good, democratic election.”
Permissible sign locations along Austin Road East and Highway 97, as well as Foothills Boulevard are being adjusted after complaints came in about blocking line of sight for drivers.
Councillor Kyle Sampson was also happy to hear that fines would be added for any election or political sign offense.
“It sure drove me nuts, in the last federal election, and in the last provincial election, I don’t know how many candidates, all of them, I counted, were outside of the sign bylaw in one place or another.”
The report to council noted that most fines in other municipalities were set between $50-200 per offense, but an exact number would be set at a future date.
Councillor Garth Frizzell put forth an amendment asking to keep the nominator numbers to two, but it was defeated.
The City gave the first three readings for each of the three bylaws that this pertained to.
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
Send us a news tip by emailing [email protected].
