Mail Ballots
Vote by Mail Ballot- Who can request a Mail Ballot Package?
- How do I apply for a Mail Ballot
Package?
- How will I receive a Mail Ballot Package?
- How do I check the status of my Mail Ballot Package?
Privacy Statement
Important Dates
- When can I apply for my Mail Ballot Package?
- When will I receive my Mail Ballot Package?
- When is the deadline for a Mail Ballot to be received by the Chief Election Officer?
- When and where will I be able to pick-up my Mail Ballot Package?
- Important Deadlines
Start the Online Application Process
Vote By Mail BallotFor the 2022 Election, all eligible voters will be able to request to vote by
mail ballot.
All existing voters and new registrants will be able to request a mail ballot package. The mail ballot package will
include instructions on how to complete and return the mail ballot.
New registrants must meet eligibility requirements and
will receive a voter
registration form (200M) along with their mail ballot package. The voter registration form must be filled in
completely. If the form is incomplete, the mail ballot will not be accepted.
Non-resident property electors must contact the Richmond Elections Office at 604-276-4100 to obtain a mail ballot
package.
IMPORTANT: Once you have requested a mail ballot package, you CANNOT vote in person at the advance voting opportunities or on General Voting Day.
How do I apply for a Mail Ballot Package?
To apply for a mail ballot package, all existing and new registrants can:
- Use a simple online application system on the City website; or
- Contact the Mail Ballot Call Centre at 604-276-4100.
How will I receive a Mail Ballot Package?
Once the completed application has been received and approved, a mail ballot package will be mailed to
the voter.
To ensure mail ballot packages are received in time by the voter, they will only be mailed out through Canada Post
until October 5, 2022. After this date, voters will be required to pick up their mail
ballot package at Richmond City Hall.
How do I check the status of my Mail Ballot Package?
To check on the status of your mail ballot package, please visit our Mail Ballot Request Status page. You will need your Last Name and Confirmation Code.
ID requirements and valid image file types
All eligible voters will be required to upload ID (identification card or document) when applying
online for a mail ballot package. ID is needed to confirm voter identity, place of residence and eligibility.
Existing voters will be required to upload one (1) piece of ID (which at minimum, must include
their name and Richmond home/residential address OR their name and date of birth).
New voters will be required to upload two (2) pieces of ID (which when combined must include their
name, Richmond home/residential address, date of birth, and signature). See the sample list of acceptable IDs below.
It is strongly recommended that the ID(s) be saved on your electronic device before you begin filling out the online form. To upload a piece of ID, scan the ID or take a photo with your device.
Valid image file types include JPG, JPEG, GIF, TIF, TIFF, BMP, PDF, PNG.
Acceptable IDs/documents for Mail ballot applicationGovernment-Issued ID
- BC Driver’s Licence
- BC Identity Card (issued by ICBC)
- BC Services Card (with or without photo)
- Birth Certificate
- Canadian Passport
- Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
- Certificate of Indian Status
- Canadian Citizenship Card
Other Government-Issued Documents
- Property tax notice
- Income tax assessment notice
- Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence (issued by ICBC)
Other Documents
- School/College/University-Issued ID
- Utility bill issued for the supply of electricity, natural gas, water, telephone services
- Home/residential lease agreement
- Do not upload a selfie. It is not an ID.
- The front and back of an ID does not meet the requirement for two (2) pieces of ID.
- For your own security, bank (debit) or credit cards (or credit card statements) are not recommended IDs.
- The Voter Card, which existing voters will receive in the mail, will not be accepted as an ID.
- The combined BC Driver’s Licence and Services Card will count as one (1) ID, not two (2).
General
Your personal information is collected solely for the purposes of administering mail ballots for the City of Richmond’s Election on October 15, 2022. The collection, use and disclosure of your personal information for this purpose is in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act section 26 (c) and the Local Government Act Part 3. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this collection, you may contact the Richmond Elections Office at elections@richmond.ca / 604-276-4100 or the Richmond’s FOI/Privacy Coordinator at foi@richmond.ca / 604-276-4165.
ID SpecificCopies of your personal identification are collected and used to confirm your identity when making a mail ballot
package request and is required to uphold the integrity of the voting process. All IDs which are uploaded are stored
electronically on servers which are located in Canada and are only accessible to election staff. These images will
be deleted completely shortly after the conclusion of the election event (on October 15, 2022). This collection and
use is in accordance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act section 26 (c). If you have any
questions or concerns regarding this collection, you may contact the Elections Office at elections@richmond.ca /
604-276-4100 or the Richmond’s FOI/Privacy Coordinator at foi@richmond.ca / 604-276-4165.
When can I apply for a Mail Ballot Package?
Online applications for a mail ballot will be available beginning Wednesday,
September 7, 2022, 9:00 a.m. until Friday, October 7, 2022, 3:00 p.m.
Mail ballot packages can continue to be requested through the Mail Ballot Office Call Centre at 604-276-4100 until 4:00 p.m. on General Voting Day on October 15, 2022.
Mail ballot packages will be mailed out no earlier than Monday, September 26, 2022,
only after the list of candidates has been finalized and the ballots printed.
Mail ballot packages will be mailed out no earlier than Monday, September 26, 2022, only after the list
of candidates has been finalized and the ballots printed.
Please allow at least five (5) business days from when you submit your application to receive your mail ballot
package.
Mail ballots must be received by the Chief Election Officer at 8:00 p.m. on General Voting Day – October 15, 2022.
When and where will I be able to pick-up my Mail Ballot Package?
You will be able to pick up your mail ballot package from Richmond City Hall at 6911 No. 3 Road, between 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Please inquire at the Information Counter when you arrive at City Hall.
Please be prepared to show ID when picking up your mail ballot package. If you designated someone else to pick-up your mail ballot package on your behalf, that person must present an ID that matches the name you provided when you summitted your mail ballot request. This person will also need to sign a declaration when they pick up your mail ballot package.
Please observe Communicable Disease safety protocols when coming to Richmond City Hall.
| If you apply on | Your pick-up date is on (between 11:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.) |
|---|---|
| Thursday, October 6 | Tuesday, October 11 |
| Friday, October 7 | Tuesday, October 11 |
| Saturday, October 8 to Monday, October 10 | Tuesday, October 11 |
| Tuesday, October 11 | Wednesday, October 12 |
| Wednesday, October 12 | Thursday, October 13 |
| Thursday, October 13 | Friday, October 14 |
| Friday, October 14 | Friday, October 14 |
| Saturday, October 15, 4:00 p.m. | Saturday, October 15, 5:00 p.m. |
Please return your ballot:
- to the drop box at Richmond City Hall;
- at an advance voting opportunity; or
- at one of 38 voting places on General Voting Day.
Important Deadlines
| Activity | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Richmond Elections Office to send out mail ballot packages | Wednesday, October 5, 2022 To ensure mail ballot packages are received in time by the voter. After this time, mail ballot packages must be picked up in person at Richmond City Hall. |
| Voters to put mail ballots in mail |
Wednesday, October 5, 2022
|
| Voters to apply online for a mail ballot package | Friday, October 7, 2022 at 3:00 p.m. After this time, contact the Richmond Elections Office at 604-276-4100. |
| Voters to apply for a mail ballot package | Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 4:00 p.m. General Voting Day |
| Richmond Elections Office to receive mail ballots | Saturday, October 15, 2022 at 8:00 p.m. General Voting Day Late ballots cannot be counted. |
Start the Online Application Process
Note: This application works in Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. It will not work in Internet Explorer/Microsoft Edge.
- Step 1: Visit Election Services > Voters > Am I on the Voters List? and check if you are registered.
All existing and new registrants must complete this search to proceed with the mail ballot application process. - Step 2: Once you have confirmed if you are a registered voter or not, click Request a Mail Ballot Package.
- Step 3: Proceed with the Mail Ballot Package application process.
At the end of the application process, you will be provided with a confirmation code. You will also receive a confirmation email if you provided an email address. Please keep a copy of the confirmation code as you may need it if you have to contact the Richmond Elections Office regarding your application.
IMPORTANT: Once you have requested a mail ballot package, you CANNOT vote at the regular or advance opportunities.
