Burnaby has a byelection coming up later this month and we could make dubious history when it comes to voter turnout.
I base this on what just happened in Richmond, which held a byelection that saw a 10% voter turnout – a number so pathetic that I am tearing up as I type these words.
Richmond spent more than $700,000 on its byelection and allowed people to vote using mail-in ballots. So even with mail-in ballots making it easy to vote, just 10% of the city’s eligible voters bother to put pen to paper.
It’s a joke.
To be clear, Richmond’s turnout was better than the 2% who voter in the recent North Vancouver school district byelection. I can’t even find the words to comprehend that. You can’t seriously tell me education doesn’t matter to people.
But let’s stick with council byelections. Burnaby has two open spots but is not using mail-in ballots. Combine that with it being the end of June and COVID-19 restrictions lifting, I’m smelling an election debacle coming to our city.
Cities are lucky if they get 25% of the public voting during a general election, but things are typically far worse for byelections.
It’s too bad because voters have a chance to vote for some real change. Burnaby council is old and not very diverse. There are some young and fresh and diverse candidates running. People like to complain about everything going on in their city, but few bother to research candidates and then actually vote. The NOW has started its coverage with profiles so watch our website for more.
A total of 14 candidates have filed nomination papers for the 2021 Burnaby byelection.
The full list of candidates includes:
- Mehreen CHAUDRY
- Gulam FIRDOS
- Alison GU
- Mike HILLMAN
- Martin Edward KENDELL
- Flora LO
- Baljinder NARANG
- Claire PRESTON
- Lee RANKIN
- Teresa ROSSIELLO
- Deborah SKERRY
- Scott VAN DENHAM
- Mike VOLKOW
- Heymann YIP
In the City of Burnaby 2021 byelection, voters will elect two city councillors.
The byelections were made necessary after the deaths of Nick Volkow and Paul McDonell.
Elected councillors will serve on City Council until the next scheduled general local election on Oct. 15, 2022. General Voting Day is June 26, along with advance voting dates on June 12, and June 14 to 19.
Please go out and vote. Let's at least beat Richmond's mark.
Follow Chris Campbell on Twitter @shinebox44.
