The deadline is fast approaching to get your HST referendum ballot counted.
By 4:30 p.m. on Friday (Aug. 5), your referendum package must be complete and in the hands of Elections B.C. or Service B.C. That means mailing in your vote is now a non-option.
“Postmarks will not be accepted as proof of meeting the deadline,” said acting chief electoral officer Craig James with Elections B.C.
Canada Post commits to a letter taking three days to travel from Victoria to Vancouver.
“If people are going to be mailing it out after Tuesday, I would be worried (about the HST package not arriving by Friday’s deadline),” said Colleen Frick, spokesperson for Canada Post. Alternatively, she suggests people can priority courier or express post their ballot, which has a two-day travel time.
Residents can also drop their package off in person at an approved location.
For Capital Region residents, that means the Elections B.C. office located at 100-1112 Fort St. The next closest location to drop it off at is the Service B.C. office in Duncan.
The outcome of the non-binding referendum is expected in September. Premier Christy Clark has promised that government will abide by its result.
kslavin@saanichnews.com