SD73 trustee runner-up calls for equitable advance voting access in rural communities

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Onslow also says requests of adding an advance voting station in Blue River, or providing a mail-in ballot option, were not approved.

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“Even if I had won and was sitting at the trustee table, I would have been asking for the bylaw to be changed so this doesn’t happen again,” Onslow says. “It was not equitable access, and I want the equitable access for the students. I want people to recognize the vast size of SD73, and it costs a lot more money to get our students to opportunities in the centre of the school district.

“I’m not going to challenge it in any way, shape or form. But it could be done differently, and it could be done better.”

Onslow acknowledges SD73 met its legislative requirements, as there was a general voting day location at Blue River Elementary, but says it was the bare minimum.

“Because there was a group of [Blue River residents] that are volunteers that go to the Edmonton snow show for the snowmobile club, and they all were not going to be in town on voting day. That was the group primarily that was… ‘we would like to have advance voting in Blue River,'” Onslow says.

In a statement to CFJC Today, SD73 Secretary-Treasurer and Chief Election Officer Kim Morris says while the 2026 election met the requirement for advance voting under B.C.’s Local Government Act and the board of education’s bylaw, there is always room for improvement.

“… my team is documenting any and all feedback for archiving with 2026 election materials for the 2030 and future elections,” Morris says. “It’s important to take into account the public’s experience on the ground in our rural communities, especially the thoughts and feedback of a candidate.  When the next election occurs, we’ll be able to adjust the elections bylaw based on feedback and the board’s collective decision making around its new bylaw in 2030.”

Onslow says she’s had a conversation with Sim regarding advance voting access for rural communities within Area 2 and is optimistic the SD73 board of education will consider changes to its bylaw.