Your Ballot, Your Choices: Understanding How to Vote for Delta’s Next Council

 DREAM Delta voter information release

With Delta’s municipal election approaching on October 17, DREAM Delta is sharing a simple message: understand your options before marking your ballot.

Our accompanying graphic explains how your council votes can affect the outcome. It does not tell you whom to support. DREAM Delta does not support, oppose, or endorse any candidate, party, or slate. Our goal is to help residents make informed choices and clear up some common misconceptions.

One choice for mayor. Up to six choices for council.

You can vote for one mayoral candidate and up to six council candidates. The six council candidates receiving the most votes will win the six seats.

The words “up to” matter. Six is the maximum number of council candidates you can support. It is not a requirement.

You can choose one, two, three, four, five, or six council candidates. Choosing fewer than six does not invalidate your council vote.

Your council choices do not have to match your choice for mayor.

Voting for a mayoral candidate does not commit you to supporting council candidates from that mayoral candidate’s party or slate.

For example, you might prefer one candidate for mayor but believe several council candidates from other groups would bring valuable experience or better ideas to council. You are free to vote accordingly.

You can also combine council candidates from different parties or slates and include independents. You do not have to select an entire team.

Every candidate you mark receives your support individually.

You do not have to fill every available spot.

Suppose you have researched the candidates and feel strongly about two, three, or four people. You want those candidates elected, but you are uncertain about everyone else.

You can vote for those people and stop.

There is no need to add more names simply because you have room on your ballot. An unused choice is not automatically a wasted vote. It can reflect a deliberate decision about whom you are willing to support.

On the other hand, if you have six candidates you would be pleased to see elected, voting for all six is also a reasonable choice.

Every additional X helps another candidate.

Council voting is not a ranking system. Your first choice does not receive more weight than your sixth choice. Every candidate you mark receives one vote.

Imagine your favourite candidate is competing for the final council seat against someone you feel less enthusiastic about. If you mark both names, you add one vote to each candidate. Your ballot does not help your favourite gain ground over that particular competitor.

If you vote only for your favourite, you add to their total without adding to that competitor’s total.

This does not mean voting for fewer candidates gives your favourites extra votes. They still receive one vote each. It means you have chosen not to give additional votes to other candidates competing for the same six seats.

Think about whom you would actually want elected.

Before adding another name, ask yourself: “Would I be comfortable seeing this person on council, including if they finished ahead of someone I prefer?”

If the answer is yes, that additional vote may reflect your wishes. If the answer is no, you are under no obligation to use it.

There is no single strategy that guarantees your preferred candidates will win. The result depends on votes cast across the community. The outcomes shown in our graphic are illustrations of possible effects, not predictions or promises.

DREAM Delta encourages residents to learn about candidates’ positions, experience, judgment, and willingness to listen. Look beyond team labels and consider each person seeking your support.

Whether you choose a full slate, a mixture of candidates, or only a few people you strongly support, the decision belongs to you.

Choose your mayor. Choose up to six councillors. Make every X a choice you mean.