FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

VICTORIA – New maps reflecting boundary redistribution in B.C. that added six ridings to the electoral map are available for viewing at Election BC’s website. 

            The maps demonstrate Elections BC’s readiness to administer the 2009 election under extensive changes brought about by electoral redistribution, following passage of the 2008 Electoral Districts Act which was based on the work of the B.C. Electoral Boundaries Commission.  

            The maps show the 85 electoral districts to be used in the May 12, 2009 election.  Those 85 districts can be compared to the 79 ridings used in 2005 and the 20 districts proposed under the BC-STV system.  A referendum on electoral reform will be conducted at the same time as the May election allowing voters to decide whether they prefer the current first-past-the-post system or the single transferable vote system recommended by the Citizens’ Assembly on Electoral Reform. 

            Also included in the Voting section of the website are 469 detailed maps covering the province that show 10,185 voting areas, distinct areas with no more than 400 voters in each. 

            The new maps and boundaries for the 2009 election come into effect on April 14, the day the writs are issued for the May 12 election.  

            “Redistribution for the 2009 election is significant as it creates new electoral boundaries for the vast majority of voters in the province,” said Chief Electoral Officer Harry Neufeld. “The boundaries for all but five of the previous electoral districts are changing as a result of redistribution.” 

            Neufeld was one of three commissioners on the Electoral Boundaries Commission chaired by Justice Bruce Cohen that issued its final report just over a year ago. 

            Readiness for the election and referendum on electoral reform is also reflected in voters list adjustments:  each registration record for the 2.95 million voters on the list has been updated to reference the appropriate new electoral district and voting area according to address. Mail-based enumeration efforts currently reach out to an estimated 3.2 million eligible voters. 

Any eligible voter who is not registered, or unsure if they are registered at the correct address, are advised to go to the online voters registration page at www.elections.bc.ca or to call 1-800-661-8683. 

The website also allows voters to enter their residential address in the Know Your Electoral District application to find the name of their new electoral district. 

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Contact:
Kenn Faris
Manager, Event Communications
Elections BC
Phone: 250-387-2949
Email: Kenn.Faris@elections.bc.ca

Backgrounder: How the New Electoral District Boundaries Evolved

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