With 2018 being an election year, a staff report from the District of Port Hardy’s Director of Corporate Services, Heather Nelson-Smith, detailing the 2018 municipal election schedule, was received and approved by Port Hardy council.
The report stated that “Staff has reviewed the various legislative requirements in relation to the need to conduct the 2018 General Election and the timing for the numerous steps that must be undertaken. The following is a summary of the key steps and dates / timeframes:
January 9: Council appoints Chief Election Officer (CEO) and Deputy CEO;
July 9: Last day for Council to adopt/amend election bylaws;
July 27: Nomination packages ready for distribution;
Sept. 4: Nomination period opens at 9:00 a.m.;
Sept. 14: Nomination period ends at 4:00 p.m.;
Sept. 21: Last day for withdrawl from election by candidates (4:00 p.m.);
Sept. 24: Declaration of Election or acclamation;
Oct. 5: Advance voting opportunity 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.;
Oct. 18-19: Advance voting opportunity 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.;
Oct. 20: Voting day 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.;
Oct. 20: Announcement of preliminary results;
Oct. 24: Date by which CEO must declare official election results.
The election will cost between $5,000 and $7,000, which has been included in the financial plan for 2018.