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Eligible Richmondites should get ready to vote in the May 29 municipal by-election.

Photo by Hannah Scott

Prepare to vote in Richmond’s by-election

By Richmond Sentinel

Published 10:35 PDT, Tue May 11, 2021

Last Updated: 2:13 PDT, Wed May 12, 2021

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Eligible Richmond voters are invited to make their vote count at the upcoming 2021 by-election.

The by-election will elect one councillor as a result of a vacancy in November 2020. The new councillor elected in 2021 will serve along with the other members of Richmond City Council until the next scheduled general local and school election on Oct. 15, 2022.

The City of Richmond is committed to delivering a safe and physically distanced by-election during the COVID-19 pandemic. As such, a number of voting opportunities will be offered, which include 10 advance voting opportunities over four days, 10 voting places on general voting day and voting by mail.

The Richmond Elections Office reminds voters to be prepared and plan their voting experience by reviewing these easy and simple steps:

1. Register to vote.

Voters can check if they are eligible to vote and if they are already registered to vote. Use the Am I on the Voters List? tool at richmond.ca/elections. Eligible voters can also register when they vote by bringing two pieces of ID that, together, include the voter’s name and residential address. One piece must include the voter’s signature.

2. Find out where and when to vote.

Voters can vote at an advance opportunity or on general voting day (Saturday, May 29). To find out where to vote, visit the Where Do I Vote? page at richmond.ca/elections.

3. Review the candidates' profiles.

Candidate profiles are statements written by each candidate and are now available at richmond.ca/electionservices/candidates/.

4. Encourage friends and family to vote.

Voters are encouraged to share election information with friends and family and discuss their views. Voters are also encouraged to share their experiences using the hashtag #rmdelxn. Voters may take selfies outside of the voting place, however, any recording (photo, audio, video) will not be permitted inside the voting place to respect everyone's privacy, as well as the election process.

5. Vote!

6. Find out the election results.

After 8 p.m. on Saturday, May 29, find out whom Richmond voters have democratically elected to serve as councillor at richmond.ca/elections.

All eligible Richmond voters may vote once at any of the advance voting places or on general voting day between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

ADVANCE VOTING

Saturday, May 15

• Cambie Secondary School, 4151 Jacombs Rd.

• McMath Secondary School, 4251 Garry St.

• McNair Secondary School, 9500 No. 4 Rd.

• Richmond City Hall, 6911 No. 3 Rd.

Wednesday, May 19

• Richmond City Hall, 6911 No. 3 Rd.

Thursday, May 20

• Richmond City Hall, 6911 No. 3 Rd.

Saturday, May 22

• Cambie Secondary School, 4151 Jacombs Rd.

• McMath Secondary School, 4251 Garry St.

• McNair Secondary School, 9500 No. 4 Rd.

• Richmond City Hall, 6911 No. 3 Rd.

GENERAL VOTING DAY (Saturday, May 29)

• Burnett Secondary School, 5011 Granville Ave.

• Cambie Secondary School, 4151 Jacombs Rd.

• Cook Elementary School, 8600 Cook Rd.

• Hamilton Elementary School, 5180 Smith Dr.

• MacNeill Secondary School, 6611 No. 4 Rd.

• McMath Secondary School, 4251 Garry St.

• McNair Secondary School, 9500 No. 4 Rd.

• Richmond Secondary School, 7171 Minoru Blvd.

• Steveston-London Secondary School, 6600 Williams Rd.

• Talmey Elementary School, 9500 Kilby Dr.

VOTING BY MAIL

In addition, voting by mail is available for all eligible Richmond voters. For more information on applying for a mail ballot package, please visit our website at richmond.ca/electionservices/voters/votingopportunities/mail

Voting places are accessible to people who use wheelchairs and mobility scooters. An accessible ballot-marking device is available at Richmond City Hall on advance voting dates (May 15, 19, 20, and 22) and Richmond Secondary School on general voting day. This option will allow voters to mark their ballot independently by using descriptive audio, touch screen, Braille, rocker paddle device, and sip and puff device. Curb-side voting is also an option, or voters may bring a friend or family member to assist them at the voting place.

Voters who require translation assistance may also bring a family member from their household to translate for them. There will be voting instructions at the voting place available in French, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese and Punjabi.

Find out more at richmond.ca/elections.