The Vancouver by-election is this Saturday, 5 April. The polls are open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Our nearest polling place is the Hastings Community Centre (3096 E.Hastings St). We’re electing two new councillors. You can find all the polling places here on the city’s “Vancouver Votes” page.
This by-election is shaping up to be a referendum on the ABC party. The balance of power will not change – ABC keeps their majority no matter what. If you’re happy with the way the City is being run, vote for the two ABC candidates.
If you’re not voting for ABC, then things get a bit more challenging. Hard choices must be made and strategic votes cast.
There are six independent candidates and it’s great they are stepping forward. But, voting for any one of them will take away from candidates who have a stronger chance of being elected. If you’re wanting to send a message to ABC, voting for the independents is not a good option.
That leaves the five candidates from the four other parties: TEAM, COPE, OneCity and Green.
TEAM is running two: Colleen Hardwick and Theodore Abbott. COPE has Sean Orr. OneCity is going with Lucy Maloney, and the Green Party has Annette Reilly. You can check the party websites to learn more about their platforms.
There are also several ways to compare how the parties stack up on specific issues. For climate and health, check out the CAPE-BC candidate survey. For cycling, HUB has a party voting chart. City Hall Watch‘s voting “score-card” is focused on planning and density issues.
And of course there are news stories galore by searching <Vancouver by-election>
More people have been voting in the advance polls that ever before. So this by-election is being noticed. Don’t miss you chance to have your say.
Vote on 5 April!
Notre Dame Neighbours 