MOTION

Civic Elections File: 1101

WHEREAS Mayor Philip Owen expressed concerns about low voter turnout in the 1999 civic election and recommended that Mayors of other major Canadian cities and municipalities join him in exploring a system of fines for voters who fail to cast a ballot in civic elections;

AND WHEREAS, the City of Vancouver did not conduct a comprehensive municipal enumeration of voters in 1999;

AND WHEREAS, in 1999 the numbers of eligible voters declined from those eligible in 1996;

AND WHEREAS, this decline in the number of actual voters is a concern to all members of Council, School Board and Parks Board;

AND WHEREAS, the voters of Vancouver have twice indicated a preference for implementing a not-at-large voting system;

AND WHEREAS, the City of Vancouver has the power to implement changes to the current at-large system of voting;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT:

1. Council instruct the City’s Chief Elections Officer to conduct a full and comprehensive voter enumeration prior to the 2002 Municipal Elections, and;
2. Council appoint a Commissioner who will establish a process whereby members of the public can make presentations on methods and ways of increasing voter turnout, and that the Commissioner then report to Council.

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(c) 1998 City of Vancouver