Burnaby Polling Place Accessibility - City Rules

Burnaby, British Columbia requires that municipal voting places be accessible to voters with disabilities and provide reasonable accommodations at in-person polling locations. This guide explains who is responsible, what accommodations are commonly available, how to request assistance, and where to report problems for Burnaby municipal elections. Specific procedures combine city election administration and provincial accessibility guidance; contact the City Clerk for local practices and Elections BC for broader accessible voting standards.^[1]

What accessibility at polling places means

Accessible polling places aim to remove barriers that prevent people with disabilities from voting independently and privately. Typical measures include level entry or ramps, accessible parking and curbside voting, voter assistance, tactile or large-print ballots, magnifiers, and voting tools for persons with limited dexterity.

Common accommodations and on-site practices

• Curbside voting and outside assistance for voters who cannot enter a building.
• Availability of election staff to mark a ballot at the voter's direction.
• Large-print or high-contrast voting materials where provided.
• Accessible voting equipment where supplied by the returning officer or election officials.
• Designated accessible parking and drop-off zones near entrances.

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement of accessible polling place requirements is administered through election authorities and applicable provincial accessibility legislation or guidance. Specific monetary fines, escalation amounts, or penalties for failing to provide access at a polling place are not specified on the cited municipal and provincial election guidance pages; refer to the listed authorities for complaints and enforcement pathways.^[2]

• Enforcer: City Clerk and returning officers for municipal elections; Elections BC for provincial guidance on accessible voting practices.
• Non-monetary remedies: instructions/orders to staff, corrective measures at polling sites, and referral to supervisory election officials.
• Inspection and complaint: file a complaint with the City Clerk's office or the designated returning officer during an election period.
• Fines and penalties: not specified on the cited page.
• Appeals/review: election decisions are subject to the appeal and judicial review processes set out in provincial election statutes; specific time limits are not specified on the cited municipal guidance.

Applications & Forms

No universal application form is required to use on-site accessibility services such as curbside voting or assistance; these are arranged at the polling place or in advance through the local election office when offered. If a formal request form is published for special services, it will be available from the City Clerk or returning officer during the election period (not specified on the cited page).

How to request accessible voting in Burnaby

1. Contact the City Clerk or the returning officer in advance to ask about specific accommodations and polling locations that best meet your needs.
2. On election day, arrive at your assigned polling station and tell poll staff you need an accommodation; ask for curbside voting if you cannot enter.^[1]
3. If you need help marking a ballot, request that staff follow the procedure for voter assistance or allow a companion of your choice, where permitted by election rules.
4. If the polling place lacks promised accessibility features, document the issue, ask for immediate corrective measures, and report the problem to the City Clerk after voting.

FAQ

Are Burnaby polling places accessible?

Municipal polling places in Burnaby are intended to provide accessibility features and reasonable accommodations; availability may vary by site and election, so contact the City Clerk or returning officer for details.

How do I request curbside voting or assistance?

Ask poll staff on arrival or contact the City Clerk or returning officer in advance to arrange curbside voting or other assistance.

Where do I report accessibility problems at a polling location?

Report issues immediately to poll staff and then to the City Clerk's office; you may also follow provincial complaint channels for election administration where appropriate.

How-To

1. Find your polling location and contact information on the City of Burnaby elections page before election day.
2. Call or email the City Clerk or returning officer to explain your accommodation needs and confirm options.
3. On election day, arrive and inform poll staff you need assistance or curbside service; follow staff instructions to vote.
4. If the accommodation is not provided, document the problem and submit a formal complaint to the City Clerk after voting.

Key Takeaways

• Contact the City Clerk or returning officer early to confirm available accommodations.
• Poll staff can provide curbside voting and assistance, but site features vary by location.
• Report access issues immediately and follow up with a complaint to the City Clerk if unresolved.

Help and Support / Resources

• City of Burnaby - City Clerk
• Elections BC
• Government of British Columbia - Accessible BC
• City of Burnaby - Bylaws

1. [1] City of Burnaby - Elections and voting information
2. [2] Elections BC - Accessible voting