June 28* By-election Eyed

New Chief Election Officer will start job next week

Lions Bay Council paused a closed meeting Wednesday night to report that an elections officer has been appointed.

Lisa Zwarn will take on the job of Chief Election Officer (CEO) for the upcoming by-election, effective April 15.

Mayor Ken Berry also announced that Council has appointed both the Corporate Officer and Deputy Corporate Officer to support Zwarn in her role, and that the target date for the election is June 21.

Zwarn is listed as an instructor in the School of Public Administration at Capilano University. Her Linked-In page indicates she has worked in the municipal sector in the province and is a consultant in the field.

According to the province's website, the CEO sets the date for general voting for a Saturday no later than 80 days after they were appointed by council or the regional district board.

These decisions are mandated by Section 54 of the Local Government Act, which outlines the circumstances and parameters of the by-election. According to the Act, specific dates and times of advance voting opportunities are also decided and announced by the CEO.

In order to vote, you must meet the residency requirements as outlined in the Act, or qualify as a non-resident property elector at the time of voting.

To be registered to vote in the municipality you must be over 18, a Canadian citizen, a resident of British Columbia for at least six months immediately before the day of registration, a resident of the municipality and not be otherwise disqualified by law.

In order to run in the election as a candidate, you must be 18 years of age or older, a Canadian citizen, a resident of British Columbia for at least six months immediately prior to the election and not otherwise disqualified by law.

Nominations for those interested in taking on the role of Councillor are accepted over a 10 day period, slightly more than a month before the declared election day, and campaigning occurs over 28 days, culminating in election day.

With Zwarn taking on the role next week, it means an overlap with the current Federal election campaign is unlikely.

(*Editor's note: This week's Village Update indicates the by-election is tentatively scheduled for June 28, not June 21 as announced at the meeting. A final date will be set by the Chief Elections Officer, once she assumes her role.)

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