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October 4, 2004
Media guidelines for Decision 2004: At-large or Wards Plebiscite
The Chief Election Officer has issued the following media guidelines for the upcoming plebiscite on Vancouver's electoral system:
Voting Day coverage (October 6, 12, and 16 before 8 p.m.):
There are two advance voting opportunities - October 6 and 12, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. - at City Hall. On general voting day - October 16 - there will be 44 voting locations spread across Vancouver. All voting locations will be open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Local media are reminded advertising or programming that directly or indirectly promotes or opposes either side of the ballot question is NOT allowed on October 16.
The City will permit media coverage at voting locations, with the following pre-conditions:
- media coverage must not interfere with the smooth operation of the voting place
- privacy of individuals in the voting place, and secrecy of the ballot, must be respected
- camera operators/reporters must contact the Presiding Election Officer (PEO) immediately upon entering the voting place
- camera operators/reporters must sign a declaration of secrecy to enter a voting place
- interviews or "scrums" in the voting place are NOT allowed
- "exit" interviews may be conducted only under the following conditions:
- 1. PEO has granted permission for the interview
- 2. interview must not impede operation of the voting place, including access or egress
- 3. interview must done far enough away from the voting place entrance that electors (especially those who have not yet voted) cannot hear the interview.
- electioneering (i.e. advocacy for one side or another concerning the ballot) at a voting place, or within 100m of any building where voting is being conducted, is strictly forbidden, as is any media coverage of such activity. This means individuals who are voting, with attendant media coverage, must not wear or carry materials that advocate for one side (buttons etc.). Also, political commentary must be filmed at least 100m away from a voting place.
Obtaining results (October 16 after 10 p.m.) Polls will close in Vancouver at 8 p.m. on October 16. Unofficial results of the Decision 2004 Plebiscite will be available after 10 p.m. Here's how to get those results:
- Chief Election Officer Syd Baxter will announce unofficial results at 10 p.m. (exact timing is subject to the availability of vote results). The announcement will be at City Hall, in the third floor foyer. Mayor Campbell will be available for comment afterwards.
- Unofficial results will be available immediately after the announcement, on the City's website at www.city.vancouver.bc.ca and on the library website at www.vpl.ca
- A news release of unofficial results will be issued immediately after the announcement. The release will be faxed to local media, sent out via the City's listserv, and uploaded to the City's web pages (an Excel spreadsheet of unofficial results will also be on the website after the announcement).
- Media outlets wishing to receive electronic copy of the unofficial results news release can subscribe to the City's news release listserv by sending an e-mail address, before October 14, to paul_heraty@city.vancouver.bc.ca Those wishing to have results faxed to specific fax numbers should call Paul Heraty at 604-871-6173 before October 14.
Official results of the Decision 2004 Plebiscite will be declared by October 20 at 4 p.m.
Media enquiries:
Marg Coulson
Deputy Chief Election Officer
604.871.6586
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