Time Off To Vote | BC Nurses' Union

April 19, 2017

You have the right to time off to vote on May 9 in BC's Provincial General Election

The simplest way for nurses to vote in B.C.?s provincial general election is to wait until May 9 to cast a ballot, which can be done at the nearest voting place between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. For a list of voting places by constituency, click here.

Nurses who have registered in advance of voting will be assigned a voting place that is fairly near their place of residence. However, anyone can vote at any voting place on May 9, and you can register at the time you go to vote so long as you bring valid ID. To make sure you have valid ID, click here.

It's important to remember that all employees in B.C. are entitled to four consecutive hours free from work during voting hours on general voting day, for the purposes of casting a ballot. This does not necessarily mean four hours off work, but rather a four-hour period, free from work, during voting hours. It is up to the employer to decide when their employees can take time off work to vote on May 9, but a minimum of four consecutive hours free from work are required by law, and for nurses, under the Nurses' Bargaining Association agreement as well (Article 36, Leave - Elections).

If you have a scheduled day shift on general voting day and are being pressured by your employer to vote at another time rather than being excused from work, see your local steward immediately. You must be given time off work to vote, if you are voting on May 9, during voting hours of 8 a.m. - 8 p.m.

Nurses who for any reason may need or wish to vote at another time have a variety of other options. You can:

Vote at any advance voting location in B.C. between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. at two points during the election: Saturday April 29 and Sunday April 30, and Wednesday May 3 - Saturday May 6.
Vote at any Elections BC District Electoral Office from the date the election is called until 4 p.m. on general voting day.
Vote by mail, if you meet the qualifications (away on May 9, disabled, or working remotely). The package can either be mailed to you, or you can pick it up at a district electoral office. For more information, call 1-800-661-6863 or click here.