British Columbia

Metro Vancouver transit referendum: Last day to get ballots

Metro Vancouverites have until midnight on Friday to request a voting package for the upcoming transportation and transit plebiscite.

Voters can stop by 9 Elections B.C. offices to pick up a ballot, or call and have one mailed to them

Voters have until midnight Friday, May 15, to request a ballot asking whether they support a 0.5 per cent sales tax to go towards transit improvements in the region. (Glen Kugelstadt/CBC)

Metro Vancouverites have until midnight on Friday to request a voting package for the upcoming transportation and transit plebiscite.

"If you go to one of the nine [Elections B.C.] offices, they will register you to vote or update your voter information and print out a voting package for you," said Elections B.C. spokesperson Don Main.

Alternatively, people can call 1-800-661-8683 and have a voting package mailed to their homes.

Elections B.C. began mailing ballots to registered voters two months ago. So far, about 610,000 completed packages — or about 39 per cent — have been returned.

A question of 'Yes or No' 

Voters are being asked to answer yes or no to the question, "Do you support a new 0.5% Metro Vancouver Congestion Improvement Tax, to be dedicated to the Mayors' Transportation and Transit Plan?"

If approved, a projected annual revenue of $250 million would be used to fund the Mayors' Council's $7.8 billion transportation and transit plan over the next decade. Some of the big-ticket projects include a new Pattullo Bridge, light rail transit in Surrey and Langley, and a subway line along Vancouver's Broadway Corridor.

A majority of 50 per cent plus one is required for approval.

Voters have until 8 p.m. PT on Friday, May 29 to get their ballots into an Elections B.C. office.

Find an Elections B.C. office