As if 2020 has not thrown us all for enough loops, the B.C. government decided to call a snap election for British Columbians with 55 days’ notice on Oct. 24.
Due to COVID-19 and the subsequent increased number of mail-in ballots (more than 500,000 already requested as of Oct. 7), the election results may not roll in until November.
Many parties are not fielding candidates in every riding. This is the case with the B.C. Conservatives, the Christian Heritage Party (CHP), the B.C. Libertarian Party, and of course any independent candidates. As such, if you are marking a write-in mail ballot and write in the name of a party without a registered candidate in your area your ballot will be spoiled.
Mail-in ballots should be submitted no later than Oct. 17 to ensure they are received by Elections BC no later than 8 p.m. on election day, Oct. 24.
It used to be said that elections are about moving beyond your base to the swing voters who would actually decide the election. Nowadays, however, given the media silos we’re all in, elections are no longer waged by trying to convince swing voters to come your way. On the contrary, campaign efforts are about motivating your own base to get out and vote.
Like never before, the onus is on us to research our local candidates and party platforms. This week’s B.C. Catholic has a guide to the major parties’ platforms, compiled with the help of Catholic Conscience. CTV and ARPA also have resources to help with your decision.
I encourage you to please pray, discern, and vote wisely on Saturday, Oct. 24.
Marc Vella
Marc Vella is president of the Christian Civic Affairs Committees of Canada. He is a parishioner at St. James, Abbotsford
Re Graham Osborne’s Oct. 5 column “To marry or not? I asked God for a sign”:
Being a long-time friend of Graham, I have heard his sharing of God’s sign that pointed him to the vocation of marriage, but it felt good to hear it again.
We all need to be reminded of the great things that God has done for us. It’s good to share with others (Christians or not) on how God works in our lives. As Graham says, it is truly a way to evangelize. During the difficult stations of our lives, we can always reflect on these stories as much as we can reach into our Catholic treasure trove of the lives of the saints. They provide us with hope. Things might not work out the way we want it to, but God can certainly comfort us through our sufferings as well.
Thank you, Graham for sharing.
Sam Teo
Surrey