A few bylaw changes are coming to make it easier to cast a vote in the next municipal election.
To be held across B.C. on Oct. 15, 2022, the elections for school board and city council will see voters in Delta have additional, more convenient opportunities to cast ballots.
A recent report by the city clerk, which was endorsed by council, recommended that mail-in ballot voting eligibility be expanded to all electors in Delta.
It will provide more voting options, broaden accessibility and reduce in-person voting should the COVID-19 pandemic continue in the fall.
In keeping with past practice, Delta has provided one additional advance voting opportunity.
This year, provincial mandated advanced voting will be held on Oct. 5 and 6, while a third advance voting opportunity has been scheduled by the City of Delta for Saturday, Oct. 1.
All advance voting will take place at Delta City Hall between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.
There will also be a new voting location for those wishing to cast a ballot for the Delta School Board as a voting location will be set up within the Tsawwassen First Nation.
That venue is still to be determined.
Over the past four years, there has been a significant increase in population within TFN boundaries but eligible electors were required to vote at Cliff Drive Elementary in Tsawwassen, the report notes.
Those living at the First Nation are entitled to vote for the Delta School Board but not for Delta mayor or council.
Although council endorsed the bylaw recommendations, the city clerk was asked to look into the possibility of also establishing an advanced voting station in North Delta and report back at a later council meeting.
