2022 General Local Election

Use of City Symbols and Logo

Candidates are prohibited from using or altering the City of West Kelowna’s logo, city colours, graphics, or any other item of City intellectual property for any campaign-related purposes. This includes, but is not limited to, signs, printed and electronic publications, flyers, brochures, e-mail, website, business cards, postcards, letterheads, leaflets, posters, fridge magnets and promotional items.  The City of West Kelowna acts as a neutral party, ensuring fairness and transparency to effectively conduct the 2022 General Local Election and will not endorse or support the use of our City symbols used by candidates.

You are eligible to vote as a resident elector if you are:

• 18 years of age or older on voting day
• A Canadian citizen
• A resident living in British Columbia for at least six months before voting (April 14, 2022)
• Not disqualified from voting due to an election offence
• Not ineligible to vote for other reasons such as elections offences

West Kelowna Non-Residents

You may vote as a non-resident elector if you:

• Are 18 years of age or older on voting day
• Are a Canadian citizen
• Are not a resident in the City of West Kelowna
• Are not ineligible to vote for other reasons such as elections offences
• Have lived in British Columbia for at least six months before voting (April 14, 2022)
• Have owned property within the City of West Kelowna for at least 30 days before voting (September 14, 2022)
• Have written consent from the majority of the property's co-owners to vote as the non-resident elector:
  • Proof is required using the Non-resident Elector Consent Form
  • Bring the form to the polling station when voting; or, obtain the form from the polling station and return to vote with the completed and signed document.

The City of West Kelowna uses same-day voter registration. Voters do not need to register in advance to vote in the City of West Kelowna General Election.  

West Kelowna Residents

• Register to vote at the polling station on voting day.
• You must provide two pieces of identification, one with a signature, that confirms who you are and where you presently live.

West Kelowna Non-Residents

• Register to vote at the polling station on voting day.
• You must provide two pieces of identification, one with a signature, that confirms who you are and where you presently live.
• You must provide written consent from the majority of the property's co-owners to vote as the non-resident elector:
  • Bring the completed and signed Non-resident Elector Consent Form when you arrive to vote at the polling station; or obtain the form from the polling station and return to vote with the completed and signed document. 

Additional procedures and regulations are also outlined in the City of West Kelowna Local Government Election Bylaw 0248.

In the case of a Local Government Election or a by-election, the City of West Kelowna must follow specified guidelines to advertise the process to eligible candidates and voters. In addition to these specified guidelines, the City of West Kelowna makes information available: on its website; through eNotifications to subscribers; via quarterly newsletters in utility bills; on its social media pages - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter; and, through distribution of public service announcements and/or news releases media sources.

BC's Community Charter allows local governments to use an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) as one means of seeking voter assent on a proposal, most commonly in matters involving long-term borrowing. An AAP is an alternative to a referendum, which is costlier to taxpayers and involves a lengthier process. The AAP allows voters 30 days to submit an elector response form in opposition to the local government's proposal. If 10% or more of eligible voters submit forms indicating their opposition to the proposal, then elector assent is not obtained and the AAP fails.

The City of West Kelowna is required to follow specified guidelines to advertise the AAP process to eligible voters. In addition to these specified guidelines, the City of West Kelowna also makes information available: on its website; through eNotifications to subscribers; via quarterly newsletters in utility bills, if timing permits; on its social media pages - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter; and, through distribution of public service announcements and/or news releases to media.

A referendum can be binding or non-binding depending on the matter at hand. If a referendum is binding, a government must carry out the decision of the electorate; if a referendum is non-binding, the government can take the ruling of the electorate into consideration in making its decision.

In British Columbia, a binding referendum must be held on a significant issue such as incorporation, certain bylaws and disposal of public assets. A non-binding referendum can be held on important matters where a municipal council may be interested in knowing how a community stands on a particular issue and where the results may be helpful to elected officials looking to make a final decision on a pressing or polarizing issue.

Assent of the electors is obtained when a majority of valid votes are found to be in favour of the bylaw or question. If the bylaw or question fails to obtain the majority assent of the electors, then a local government must wait six months before it is permitted to hold another referendum on the same question or bylaw, provided that the Province of British Columbia approves.

The City of West Kelowna is required to follow specified guidelines to advertise a referendum process to eligible voters. In addition to these specified guidelines, the City of West Kelowna makes information available: on its website; through eNotifications to subscribers; via quarterly newsletters in utility bills, if timing permits; on its social media pages - Facebook, Instagram and Twitter; and, through distribution of public service announcements and/or news releases to media.