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February 6, 2003
Media Guidelines for Olympic Vote
Vancouver’s Chief Election Officer has issued the following media
guidelines for the upcoming Olympic Vote:
Voting Day coverage (February 12, 18 and 22 before 8 p.m.)
Local media are reminded advertising that advocates for one side of the
question is not allowed on February 22.
There are two advance voting opportunities, on February 12 and 18, at
City Hall. On general voting day - February 22 - there will be 39 voting
locations spread across Vancouver. All voting locations will be open 8
a.m. to 8 p.m. The City will permit media coverage of these voting places,
with a number of pre-conditions:
- Media coverage must not interfere with the smooth operation of the
voting place.
- Camera operators and reporters should approach the Presiding Election
Officer (PEO) upon entering the voting place.
- Camera operators/reporters must sign a declaration of secrecy upon
entering a voting place.
- Electioneering (i.e. advocacy for one side or other concerning the
ballot) at a voting place, or within 100m of a voting place, 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.
- Interviews or “scrums” in the voting place are not allowed.
- privacy of individuals in the voting place, and secrecy of the ballot,
should be respected by the media.
Obtaining Results (February 22 after 10 p.m.)
Polls will close in Vancouver at 8 p.m. on February 22. Unofficial results
of the Olympic Vote 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, on the third floor. Mayor Campbell
will be available for comment afterward.
- Unofficial results will be available immediately after the announcement,
on the City’s web site at www.city.vancouver.bc.ca
and on the Library web site at www.vpl.ca/olympicvote/ (this page will appear on Feb. 22)
- A news release of unofficial results will be issued after the announcement.
This release will be available in hard copy at the Election Office,
faxed to local media that night, made available on the City’s web
pages, and via the City’s newsrelease listserver.
- An Excel spreadsheet of unofficial results will be available on the
City’s web site after the announcement.
Media outlets wishing to receive electronic copy of the unofficial results
news release can subscribe to the City’s news release listserver
by sending an appropriate e-mail address, before February 20, 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 February 20.
Official results of the Olympic Vote will be declared by February 26
at 4 p.m.
Media enquiries:
Marg Coulson
Deputy Chief Election Officer
604-873-7349
[News Release Index]
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