UBCM passes resolution to lower provincial voting age, let permanent residents vote
Posted September 26, 2019 2:25 pm.
Last Updated September 26, 2019 2:28 pm.
VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – Mayors across British Columbia want to let more people vote in provincial elections.
At the Union of BC Municipalities convention on Thursday, local and provincial politicians passed a resolution to ask the B.C. government to lower the voting age to 16 years old.
VICTORY! #vote16BC Majority of city councillors from around BC support lowering the voting age to 16 in local elections! Thanks to the work youth of the #ClimateStrike and youth fighting for their rights in the streets and in their democracy. This is YOUR #WIN #UBCM2019 pic.twitter.com/jr9x61taxH
— Vote 16 BC (@vote16bc) September 26, 2019
They also passed a resolution supporting expanding voting rights to permanent residents. In order for either change to happen, the B.C. government would need to change the Elections Act.
RELATED: BCCLA, advocacy groups lobby for permanent residents’ right to vote
City councillors, mayors and politicians from across B.C. are meeting this week at Canada Place to discuss a number of policy ideas they will later present to provincial and federal government bodies.
Agenda priorities for the week-long convention include housing and cannabis legislation, as well as motions on vaping and vaping restrictions. It ends on Sept. 27.
@freshvoicesca #lostvotes Resolution to let preminent residents vote in municipal elections passed at #UBCM2019 ! This is a huge step for inclusion! Thank you @NadineNakagawa @deardubow @christineeboyle @bccla @elagunad for all your hard work! pic.twitter.com/zySpLgBPYb
— Amy Lubik (@amy_lubik) September 26, 2019