Elections Bylaw

CONSOLIDATED 
 
ELECTIONS BYLAW NO. 1819 
 
 
 
 
 
List of Amendments 
Consolidated for Convenience Only 
 
This Bylaw has been consolidated to May 19, 2026, for convenience only.  Where applicable, 
capitalization, numerical order, and numbering have been altered for consistency.  Copies of the 
original Bylaw and amendments may be viewed at the Langford City Hall located on the Second 
Floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue, Langford, BC. 
 
Consolidated to: 
 
Amendment 
Bylaw Number 
Date Adopted 
Amendment #1 2022 (Elections Bylaw) 
2057 
May 16, 2022 
Amendment #2 2026 (Elections Bylaw)  
2267 
May 19, 2026  
 
 
 

City of Langford 
BYLAW NO. 1819 
A Bylaw to establish procedures for the conduct of local government elections and assent voting. 
 
The Council of the City of Langford, in open meeting assembled, enacts as follows: 
Citation 
1. 
This Bylaw shall be cited as “Election Bylaw No. 1819”. 
Definitions 
2. 
In this Bylaw: 
ACCEPTABLE MARK 
means a mark that: 
a) A vote-counting unit is able to read and count; and 
b) Is made by an elector in the space provided on a ballot, opposite the name 
of a candidate or opposite “yes” or “no” on any other voting question. 
AUTOMATED VOTE-
COUNTING SYSTEM 
means a system that counts and records votes, processes and stores election 
results, and is comprised of the following: 
a) A number of ballot-scanning vote-counting units, each of which deposits 
ballots into a ballot box; and 
b) A number of portable ballot boxes into which voted ballots are deposited, 
if a vote-counting unit is not functioning or not being used, for counting at 
a later time. 
BALLOT 
means a single ballot card designed for use in an automated vote-counting 
system and including all the information required by the Local Government 
Act. 
BALLOT BOX 
means a box for use in an election or assent voting: 
a) Which can be opened for inspection, 
b) Which can be securely locked or sealed, and  
c) Which is used to hold voted ballots. 
BALLOT RETURN 
OVERRIDE PROCEDURE 
means the use, by an election official, of a device on a vote-counting unit, 
which causes the unit to accept a returned ballot. 
CAMPAIGN PERIOD 
means “campaign period” as defined in the Local Elections Campaign 
Financing Act. 
CHIEF ELECTION 
OFFICER 
means the person appointed as Chief Election Officer by City Council, and 
includes their deputy. 
CITY 
means the City of Langford. 

CORPORATE OFFICER 
means the person appointed as Corporate Officer by City Council, and includes 
their deputy. 
ELECTION 
HEADQUARTERS 
means the location which the Chief Election Officer has designated as election 
headquarters, or in the absence of such a designation, Langford City Hall. 
MEMORY CARD 
means a computer software cartridge: 
a) Which is inserted into a vote-counting unit, 
b) Into which is pre-programmed the names of all the candidates for each of 
the offices to be filled, and the alternatives of “yes” or “no” for each 
question on the ballot, and  
c) Which records and retains information on the number of acceptable marks 
made for each. 
POLITICAL ADVERTISING means advertising used to promote: 
a) The election of a person or political party, or  
b) A position in a plebiscite or referendum. 
POLITICAL SIGN  
means a sign used to promote: 
a) The election of a person or political party, or  
b) A position in a plebiscite or referendum.  
PORTABLE BALLOT BOX 
means a ballot box, for use in the election, where a vote-counting unit is not 
being used at the time of voting. 
RESULTS TAPE 
means a printed record which: 
a) Is generated from a vote-counting unit at the close of voting on general 
voting day,  
b) Shows the number of votes for each candidate for each of the offices to be 
filled, and  
c) Shows the number of votes for and against each matter on which the 
opinion or assent of the electors is sought. 
RETURNED BALLOT 
means a voted ballot which was inserted into the vote-counting unit, but 
which was not accepted. 
SECRECY SLEEVE 
means an open-ended folder or envelope used to cover a voted ballot to 
conceal the choices made by an elector, prior to the ballot being deposited in a 
vote-counting unit or portable ballot box. 
VOTE-COUNTING UNIT 
means a device: 
a) Into which voted ballots are inserted,  
b) Which reads each ballot,  
c) Which records the number of votes for each candidate, and  
d) Which records the number of votes for and against each question on 
which the opinion or assent of the electors is sought. 
 

3. 
Definitions contained in Part 3 – Electors and Elections or Part 4 – Assent Voting of the Local 
Government Act apply to this Bylaw. 
4. 
This Bylaw applies to all City elections and assent voting opportunities held under Part 3 – 
Electors and Elections or Part 4 – Assent Voting of the Local Government Act. 
5. 
Where this Bylaw refers to an election, the provision also applies to assent voting, as applicable. 
6. 
Any enactment referred to herein is a reference to an enactment of British Columbia and 
regulations thereto, as amended, revised, consolidated or replaced from time to time. 
Elector Registration 
7. 
The list of electors for all elections and assent voting shall be comprised of the register of 
resident electors and the register of non-resident property electors. 
8. 
The most current available Provincial list of voters prepared under the Election Act shall become 
the register of resident electors on the 60th day prior to general voting day. 
9. 
The Corporate Officer must maintain a register of non-resident property electors, which is a 
register of those persons who have registered as non-resident property electors for the City 
under the Local Government Act. 
10. 
If the Corporate Officer has determined that a person registered as a non-resident property 
elector no longer meets the ownership requirements for registration, they must remove that 
person from the non-resident property elector register and notify them by regular mail. 
Order of Names on Ballot 
11. 
The order of names of candidates on the ballot shall be determined by lot in accordance with 
the procedure established in the Local Government Act. 
Automated Vote-Counting System 
12. 
An automated vote-counting system may be used to conduct elections and voting on bylaws or 
other matters on which the opinion or assent of the electors is sought. 
13. 
An election official may, and if requested by the elector, must explain to an elector the proper 
method for voting. 
14. 
Upon entering a voting place, the elector shall proceed as instructed to an election official 
responsible for issuing ballots, who, upon fulfilment of the requirements of the Local 
Government Act, shall then provide to the elector: 
a) 
A ballot;  
b) 
A secrecy sleeve, if requested; 
c) 
A ballot-marking instrument, or direction as to where a ballot-marking instrument may 
be found; and 
d) 
Any further voting-related instructions the elector requests. 

15. 
Upon receiving a ballot, the elector shall immediately proceed to a voting compartment to mark 
their ballot. 
16. 
The elector may vote only by making an acceptable mark on the ballot: 
a) 
Beside the name of each candidate of choice, 
b) 
Up to the maximum number of candidates to be elected for each of the offices to be 
filled, and 
c) 
Beside “yes” or “no” in the case of each bylaw or other matter on which the assent or 
opinion of the electors is sought. 
17. 
Once the elector has finished marking the ballot, they must immediately: 
a) Either place the ballot into the secrecy sleeve, or turn the ballot upside down; 
b) Proceed to the vote-counting unit; and  
c) Under the supervision of the election official in attendance, insert the ballot directly from 
the secrecy sleeve, if applicable, into the vote-counting unit without the acceptable marks 
on the ballot being exposed, and without depositing the secrecy sleeve into the vote-
counting unit or ballot box. 
18. 
If a ballot is returned by a vote-counting unit, the election official in attendance must provide 
the elector an explanation of the ballot-marking error which caused the ballot to not be 
accepted. 
19. 
If, before inserting the ballot into the vote-counting unit, an elector determines that a mistake 
has been made when marking the ballot, or if the ballot is returned by the vote-counting unit; 
the elector may return to the voting compartment to correct the ballot, or request a 
replacement ballot from the election official in attendance. 
20. 
Upon being informed of the replacement ballot request, an election official shall: 
a) 
Issue a replacement ballot to the elector, 
b) 
Mark the returned ballot “spoiled”, and 
c) 
Retain all such spoiled ballots separately from all other ballots. 
21. 
If the elector declines the opportunity to obtain a replacement ballot and has not damaged the 
ballot to the extent that it cannot be reinserted into the vote-counting unit, the election official 
shall, using the ballot return override procedure, reinsert the returned ballot into the vote-
counting unit to count any acceptable marks. 
22. 
Any ballot counted by the vote-counting unit is valid, and any acceptable marks contained on 
such ballots will be counted, subject to any determination made under a judicial recount. 
23. 
Once the ballot has been inserted into the vote-counting unit and the unit indicates that the 
ballot has been accepted, the elector must immediately leave the voting place. 

24. 
During any period that a vote-counting unit is not functioning, the election official supervising 
the unit shall direct electors to insert all ballots delivered during this time into a portable ballot 
box. 
25. 
Any ballots temporarily stored in a portable ballot box under section 24 of this Bylaw shall, as 
soon as reasonably possible, be removed by an election official, and under the supervision of 
the presiding election official, be inserted into a vote-counting unit to be counted. 
26. 
Any ballots temporarily stored in a portable ballot box, which are returned by the vote-counting 
unit when being counted shall, through the use of the ballot return override procedure and 
under the supervision of the presiding election official, be reinserted into the vote-counting unit 
to ensure that any acceptable marks are counted. 
Advance Voting Opportunities 
27. 
Advance voting opportunities shall be held from 8 am to 8 pm on: 
a) 
The 10th day before general voting day, as required by the Local Government Act; and 
b) 
The 3rd day before general voting day. 
28. 
The Chief Election Officer is authorized to: 
a) 
Establish additional advance voting opportunities in advance of general voting day; and 
b) 
Designate the voting places, set the dates, and set the voting hours for any additional 
advance voting opportunities established under this section. 
29. 
Vote-counting units shall be used at all advance voting opportunities and voting procedures at 
the advance voting opportunities shall follow, as closely as possible, those described in sections 
13 to 26 of this Bylaw. 
30. 
At the close of voting at each advance voting opportunity, the presiding election official in each 
case shall: 
a) Ensure that any remaining ballots in an advance voting portable ballot box are inserted into 
the vote-counting unit; 
b) Ensure that no additional ballots are inserted into the vote-counting unit; 
c) Record the total number of ballots accepted by the vote-counting unit; 
d) Ensure that the results tape is not generated; 
e) Ensure that the memory card of the vote-counting unit remains secured; 
f) Account for, package separately, and label the unused and spoiled ballots; 
g) Complete the ballot account and place the duplicate copy in the ballot box; 
h) Securely seal the ballot box; 
i) 
Place the voting books, lists of electors, the original copy of the ballot account, unused 
ballots, spoiled ballots, completed registration forms, keys and all completed forms into the 
election materials box; and 

j) 
Deliver the sealed ballot box, vote-counting unit together with the memory card, election 
materials box and all other materials used in the election to the Chief Election Officer at 
election headquarters. 
Special Voting Opportunities 
31. 
The Chief Election Officer is authorized to: 
a) 
Establish special voting opportunities on or in advance of general voting day,  
b) 
Designate the voting places, set the dates, and set the voting hours for any special 
voting opportunities established under this section; and 
c) 
Limit the number of candidate representatives who may be present at any special voting 
opportunities established under this section. 
32. 
Only electors who are residents, patients or workers at the special voting place on the date on 
which the special voting opportunity is held, may vote at a special voting opportunity. 
33. 
If an elector is entitled to vote at a special voting opportunity, but is unable to attend the voting 
place due to physical disability, illness or injury; the presiding election official, another election 
official and a maximum of one scrutineer must attend the elector’s care facility bed with a 
portable ballot box to receive their vote, upon request.  
34. 
Unless the Chief Election Officer determines it is practical to use a vote-counting unit, a portable 
ballot box shall be used for all special voting opportunities.   
35. 
The presiding election official appointed to attend at each special voting opportunity shall 
proceed in accordance with sections 13 to 26 of this Bylaw so far as applicable. 
36. 
The presiding election official at a special voting opportunity shall ensure that the portable 
ballot box is: 
a) 
Secured at all times, and 
b) 
Either empty or sealed when not in use. 
37. 
At the close of voting at the final special voting opportunity, the presiding election official shall 
follow the procedures outlined in section 30 f) to j), as applicable. 
38. 
If a vote-counting unit is in use at a special voting opportunity, the presiding election official 
appointed to attend shall follow the procedures outlined in sections 29 to 30 of this Bylaw as if it 
were an advance voting opportunity. 
Mail Ballot Voting  
39. 
In accordance with section 110 of the Local Government Act, all electors may vote using a mail 
ballot option and may register as an elector in conjunction with this voting method. 
 
40. 
The following procedures for voting and registration must apply:  

 
a) sufficient records will be kept by the Chief Election Officer so that challenges of the 
electors’ right to vote may be made in accordance with the intent of section 126 of the 
Local Government Act; 
b) a person exercising the right to vote by mail ballot may be challenged in accordance 
with, and on the grounds specified in section 126 of the Local Government Act until 4:30 
pm two days before general voting day.  
 
41. 
Council authorizes the Chief Election Officer to determine and set time limits in relation to 
voting by mail. 
 
42. 
As provided in section 110 (9) of the Local Government Act, a mail ballot must be received by the 
Chief Election Officer before the close of voting on general voting day in order to be counted for 
an election and must be delivered to Langford City Hall as follows: 
 
a) by mail:  2nd floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue, Langford B.C. V9B 2X8;  
b) hand delivery during regular business hours (8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, 
excluding statutory holidays): 2nd floor, 877 Goldstream Avenue, Langford B.C. V9B 2X8; or 
c) hand delivery after regular business hours: “City Hall Mail” drop box located on ground level 
to the left of City Hall entry way door at 877 Goldstream Avenue, Langford B.C. V9B 2X8. 
43. 
Notwithstanding section 39, where a by-election must be held pursuant to section 54 of the 
Local Government Act, mail ballot voting may be provided at the discretion of the Chief Election 
Officer appointed by Council. 
Procedures After Close of Voting on General Voting Day 
44. 
After the close of voting on general voting day, each presiding election official at a general 
voting place shall undertake all of the following, generally in the order stipulated and as soon as 
possible: 
a) 
Ensure that any remaining ballots in a portable ballot box are inserted into the vote-
counting unit; 
b) 
Secure the vote-counting unit so that no more ballots can be inserted; 
c) 
Generate 3 copies of the results tape from the vote-counting unit; 
d) 
Communicate the results to election headquarters immediately; 
e) 
Account for the unused and spoiled ballots and place them, packaged and sealed 
separately, together with the memory card from the vote-counting unit and one copy of 
the results tape, into the ballots and results box; 
f) 
Complete the ballot account and place the duplicate copy in the ballots and results box; 
g) 
Seal the ballots and results box; 

h) 
Place the voting books, lists of electors, the original copy of the ballot account, one copy 
of the results tape, completed registration forms, keys and all completed forms into the 
election materials box; and 
i) 
Deliver, or have available for pick-up; the sealed ballots and results box, vote-counting 
unit and the election materials box; to the Chief Election Officer at election 
headquarters. 
45. 
At election headquarters at the close of voting on general voting day, the Chief Election Officer 
shall direct or undertake all of the following, generally in the order stipulated and as soon as 
possible: 
a) 
Collect mail ballots from the City Hall drop box and add them to the designated mail 
ballot box prior to being inserted into a vote-counting unit to be counted; 
b) 
Ensure that any remaining ballots in a portable ballot box, including those from special 
voting opportunities, are inserted into a vote-counting unit to be counted; 
c) 
Reconcile the newly counted ballots with the ballot accounts; 
d) 
Secure the vote-counting unit so that no more ballots can be inserted;  
e) 
Generate 3 copies of the results tape from all vote-counting units at election 
headquarters which were used in the election; 
f) 
Place the memory cards and one copy of each results tape into the ballot box; and 
g) 
Securely seal any unsealed ballot boxes which contain voted ballots. 
46. 
To obtain the preliminary election results, the Chief Election Officer shall place the results from 
each voting opportunity in a spreadsheet. 
Informal Recount 
47. 
The Chief Election Officer may conduct an informal recount if: 
a) 
The request is made in writing by a candidate on the City ballot, 
b) 
The request is made after the preliminary election results are announced, and 
c) 
The request is received by the Chief Election Officer by end of business day on the last 
day prior to the day when official election results must be declared in accordance with 
the Local Government Act. 
48. 
If an informal recount is conducted: 
a) 
The Chief Election Officer must preside over the recount, 
b) 
The recount must be conducted at least 24 hours after general voting day, 
c) 
All candidates must be informed as soon as possible of the time and place of the 
recount, 
d) 
All voted ballots that are not spoiled must be recounted, and 
e) 
All ballots must be recounted using the automated vote-counting system. 
49. 
An informal recount must be performed generally in accordance with the following procedure: 

a) 
The memory cards of all vote-counting units will be cleared; 
b) 
A vote-counting unit will be designated for each voting place; 
c) 
All voted ballots will be removed from the sealed ballot boxes, except spoiled ballots, 
and reinserted in the appropriate vote-counting unit under the supervision of the Chief 
Election Officer; 
d) 
Any ballots returned by the vote-counting unit during the recount process shall, through 
the use of the ballot return override procedure, be reinserted in the vote-counting unit 
to ensure that any acceptable marks are counted; and 
e) 
To obtain election results, the Chief Election Officer shall place the results of each voting 
place in a spreadsheet. 
Determination of Results if Tie Vote 
50. 
If, at the completion of a judicial recount, the results of the election cannot be declared because 
there is an equality of valid votes for 2 or more candidates, the results shall be determined by 
lot in accordance with the procedure established in the Local Government Act. 
Advertising 
51. 
Political signs that pertain to a local government election or assent voting may only be placed 
after the start of the campaign period. 
52. 
Sections 53 to 57 of this Bylaw apply to all political signs and political advertising within the City. 
53. 
Political signs must be removed within 48 hours following the election or assent voting to which 
they pertain. 
54. 
Political signs may only be placed on private property if the property owner has granted 
permission. 
55. 
Political signs must not create a safety or visual hazard, and must not be: 
a) 
Flashing or inflatable; 
b) 
Placed within 2 metres of a fire hydrant; 
c) 
Permitted to become dilapidated or unsightly; 
d) 
Permitted to obstruct sightlines at an intersection;  
e) 
Permitted to obstruct or distract from a traffic control device or traffic sign. 
56. 
Political advertising may not be scattered, dropped or broadcast from any vehicle which is in 
operation, including from aircraft and other aerial vehicles. 
57. 
Political advertising may not be conducted and political signs may not be located within 100 
metres of a building or other place where voting proceedings are conducted at the time, 
including but not limited to canvassing, handing out written materials, and placing signs. 
 
 

Use of City Website 
58. 
Nomination documents may be posted to the City website from the time of filing until 30 days 
after the declaration of the election results. 
Severability 
59. 
If any portion of this Bylaw is declared invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, then the 
invalid portion must be severed and the remainder of the Bylaw is deemed valid. 
Repeal 
60. 
The “District of Langford Election and Voting Procedures Bylaw, No. 134, 1996”, the “Election 
and Voting Procedures Bylaw No. 402, Amendment Bylaw No. 1” and the “Election and Voting 
Procedures Bylaw No. 674, Amendment Bylaw No. 2, 2002” are hereby repealed. 
READ A FIRST TIME THIS 4TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2019. 
READ A SECOND TIME THIS 4TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2019. 
READ A THIRD TIME THIS 4TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2019. 
ADOPTED THIS 19TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2019. 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Presiding Council Member 
 
 
 
Corporate Officer