Kamloops residents are going to the polls on Oct. 24 (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

ELECTION SAFETY

Kamloops residents feel mostly safe voting in person during pandemic as B.C. election looms

Sep 22, 2020 | 4:55 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops residents are going to the polls in a month, all during a pandemic. Some understand the NDP going for a majority, while others think it’s unnecessary.

Here are some thoughts we gathered:

• “I think this is an inappropriate time to do it. I think we’re busy with COVID. I think there’s a lot of problems going on. I think it’s kind of an easy out for [the NDP]. They figure, ‘Oh well, things are going okay. People will like us.'”
• “I’m not sure it was absolutely necessary, but I can see their point in wanting a majority government so things can be taken care of and passed.”
• “I think it’s probably a wise move on their part because I think they’re riding high in popularity. They’re kind of using Bonnie Henry’s popularity to win this one I think.”

The official election date is Oct. 24 when voters go to the polls. There are safety concerns around COVID-19, so how does the province plan to roll out the voting process safely?

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“Similar to what you see in other locations, the layers of protections — things like spacing, cleaning, one-way paths, ensuring efficiencies so you’re not in the space for a long period of time — will still need to be in place,” said Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said on Tuesday.

Residents in Kamloops feel mostly comfortable voting in person.

• “I think it’ll be completely safe. We’ll have masks, I’m sure they’ll separate us by six feet or more.”
• “Yes, I would vote in person wearing a mask and I’m sure they’ll have sanitizer and it would all be good.”
• “I feel confused as to how I can vote because they’ve done it with less than a month. It feels like we have no time before we have to vote. I prefer mail-in.”

Many others will be mailing in their ballots. According to a survey conducted by Elections BC this summer, 35 to 40 per cent of respondents indicated they would participate through a mail-in ballot.

“I know over less than 24 hours, we’ve already received approximately 20,000 requests for vote-by-mail packages since the election was called,” noted Elections BC’s chief electoral officer, Anton Boegman.

Absentee ballots, including mail-in ballots, are not allowed to be counted in B.C. until the final count at least 13 days after the election, which is Nov. 6 at the earliest.

The in-person voting will happen mostly at schools. The B.C. Teachers Federation has raised alarm bells over the idea, as it tries to keep students healthy during the year. The Kamloops-Thompson School District says it’s ultimately up to the province and it will work with health officials to ensure locations are as safe as possible.

“I think we’d have to look at the individual schools and many of our schools, the only access they have is to the gymnasium, so it’s not like there would be people moving throughout the school itself,” said SD73 Superintendent Terry Sullivan.

Dr. Henry was asked Tuesday (Sept. 22) about postponing the election if the case count skyrockets. She said “we have looked at it,” but didn’t commit to anything. She added that political parties are expected to submit their COVID-19 safety plans to ensure they are being safe during the campaign.