SCRUTINEER GUIDELINES
Central Saanich 2026 General Local Election
Issued by the Chief Election Officer, August 24, 2026
OVERVIEW
Scrutineers are appointed by Candidates under the Local Government Act to observe voting and counting proceedings so long as they do not interfere with the electoral process. Authority over election procedures is governed through the Elections Bylaw, Legislation, and the authority granted by both to the Chief Election Officer (CEO).
Additional operational rules may be established by the CEO in order to ensure consistency amongst all scrutineers and voting locations. This information will be provided closer to and during the voting opportunities
GUIDELINES
1. Appointment and Documentation
- Candidates must submit the provided standardized scrutineer appointment form for each scrutineer.
Scrutineers must:
Sign a declaration upon entry to each voting place on every day they attend, and
Bring sufficient copies of their completed appointment form to:
Provide one to the Presiding Election Official (PEO) at each location and day of attendance, and
Retain a copy on their person for inspection by election officials upon request.
- Candidates are permitted one scrutineer per ballot box.
As each location will only have one ballot box, each candidate is permitted one scrutineer per location.
2. Role and Conduct
Scrutineers may:
Scrutineers must not:
- Interfere with voting or disrupt proceedings
- Handle election materials (e.g., voter books, ballots)
- Engage directly with voters
Campaign, display campaign materials, wear campaign-related clothing or identification, or otherwise attempt to influence electors at or near the voting place
3. Physical Setup and Access
- Each voting place must provide:
- A designated scrutineer area, identified by the PEO
- Reasonable line of sight and ability to witness proceedings
- Movement within the voting place:
- Permitted in a controlled manner when moving from the designated area to the exit or to the PEO/designate only
- Must not disrupt operations or voter flow
4. Access to Information
- No legislative obligation exists to provide scrutineers with voter information
Scrutineers may be permitted to:
View voter processing at a general level
Inspect records only as permitted by legislation and without interfering
5. Voter Identification Procedures
- At no time will election officials call out or otherwise audibly communicate any voter identification information
- Where no voter or the voter experience will be disrupted, the PEO may permit scrutineers to approach election officials and inquire as to the status (voted/not voted) of an elector in that individual voting book
- The presence of scrutineers at the voting location is to provide candidates, via a third-party, the ability to witness proceedings and, where necessary, potentially challenge a voter PRIOR to the issuance of a ballot
- If a scrutineer has reasonable grounds to believe that an ineligible elector is seeking a ballot, they may quietly and respectfully interrupt the election official, and then both parties will seek the PEO to witness the challenge to the elector
- Electors may only be challenged based on their eligibility to vote, that is
- Citizenship
- Residency in BC
- Forms of ID
- Having not previously voted in this election
- Once a final determination has been made by the PEO, the scrutineer may return to their designated seating area
6. Communication and Technology
- No photography or recording unless authorized by the CEO in advance
- Cell phone in voting locations limited to texting only; no photos or calls
7. Consistency Across Voting Opportunities
Procedures for scrutineers will be:
8. Staff Training
Election staff will receive training on:
- The statutory role of scrutineers
- Appropriate interaction and communication
- Managing scrutineer access during high-volume periods
9. High-Volume Voting Conditions
Procedures must ensure that:
10. Final Counting Procedures
- Due to space limitations, we ask that no more than 2 representatives per candidate be present to witness the result tabulation
- Final result tabulation is anticipated to occur at Municipal Hall – Council Chambers, after 8:00 pm on General Voting Day, once the final elector has left the location
- All scrutineers who wish to be present during the result tabulation are asked to check in with the CEO/DCEO or PEO prior to 8 pm, as the doors will be secured from 8 pm to prevent additional electors from entering and no further entry will be permitted
11. Complaint/Escalation Process
It is the responsibility of the candidate that expectations are communicated to the scrutineers.
Scrutineers who do not comply with these requirements or the direction of the PEO may be removed from the voting location. Any follow-up will be addressed by the CEO or DCEO with the candidate or official agent outside the voting place.
EXTERNAL RESOURCES
Scrutineers Guide to General Local Elections in BC (2026)- Province of BC
Candidate’s Guide to Local Elections in BC (2022) – Province of BC
Legislative Authority - s. 103 of the Local Government Act
Please note: if there are any concerns about the expected conduct laid out by these guidelines, or their application as applied by each Presiding Election Official, please raise all concerns to the Chief Elections Officer.
