Every four years, British Columbians have the opportunity to choose the people who will make decisions about the communities they call home.

On October 17, voters across B.C. will elect their mayors, councillors, school trustees and other local representatives. These are the people who make decisions about the roads we travel, the parks and recreation centres we use, the neighbourhoods where homes are built and many of the services we rely on every day.

In Coquitlam, preparations for this year’s municipal election have been underway for months. 

Our election team has been preparing voting locations, recruiting and training hundreds of election workers, developing voting materials and putting the systems in place to deliver an accessible, transparent and secure election. 

As a result, there are more ways to vote in Coquitlam this year than ever before.

Residents can vote at six advance voting dates beginning October 5, or at any of 23 voting locations across the city on October 17. For the first time in a Coquitlam municipal election, all eligible voters can also apply to vote by mail. 

These preparations reflect our commitment to making it as easy as possible for people to participate in local democracy.

Residents may also have heard recent discussion about the possibility of an early provincial election.

If a provincial election is called during the municipal election period, there may be some practical and logistical impacts for municipalities and voters. Municipal elections are administered independently by local governments, and Coquitlam’s election preparations are continuing as planned.

For Coquitlam voters, one thing remains clear: our election is proceeding as planned and we are ready for you.

We will continue with our planned voting locations and advance voting opportunities. And we will also provide residents with information in the coming days and weeks as we learn more about the Province’s plans and any potential implications for local voters.

At the same time, we believe Coquitlam residents deserve the opportunity to consider local candidates and local issues without having those conversations competing with another election at the same time.

Municipal elections already face a significant challenge in engaging voters. Unlike provincial campaigns, local elections receive less media coverage and require voters to learn about multiple candidates and their platforms in a relatively short period of time.

B.C. voters deserve the opportunity to give their full attention to local issues and candidates during a municipal election.

Municipal government has a direct impact on our everyday lives. It is the level of government responsible for many of the services and decisions residents experience in their own neighbourhoods — from parks and recreation to roads, planning, development and community facilities.

Local candidates also deserve the opportunity to have their ideas and priorities heard by voters.

We would prefer for the two election periods not to overlap, and we are disappointed that there is now the possibility they could occur at the same time.

In the meantime, our focus is on making sure Coquitlam residents are ready to participate.

If you are eligible to vote, please take some time to learn about the candidates and the issues that matter to you. Consider voting in advance if that works better for your schedule, apply to vote by mail if that is your preference, or make a plan to visit one of the City’s voting locations on October 17.

Information about voting opportunities, eligibility and candidates is available at coquitlam.ca/vote.

Local democracy happens close to home. Every four years, residents have the opportunity to choose the people who will help shape the future of their community.

We have been preparing for this election for months. We are ready to welcome voters, and we look forward to seeing Coquitlam residents participate.

Please make a plan to vote.

Mayor Richard Stewart
 City of Coquitlam