An April 5 date has been proposed for the by-election to replace MLA Amelia Boultbee at the Penticton council table.
The remaining members of council will vote on the proposed plan for the by-election at a special meeting on Jan. 16.
The plan would appoint the city's current corporate officer Angie Collison as chief election officer and appoint two deputies, Paula McKinnon and Hayley Anderson, to oversee the running of the election.
The April 5, 2025 proposed date of election is required by law to be held on a Saturday no later than 80 days past the point the chief election officer is appointed.
Advanced voting is also proposed on March 26 and 27. Voting on all three days will be done at the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
If council approves the election plan and date, candidate nomination packages will be available starting on January 17 for download from the City of Penticton website or pick up at City Hall.
Nomination documents will be accepted at City Hall starting February 18 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. until February 28, 2025.
Submitted nomination documents will be publicly available on the City’s website from the time of delivery until 30 days after the declaration of the election results.
As in past elections, residents may choose to vote by mail ballot. Any eligible voters can request a mail ballot (closer to the date of voting) by contacting election@penticton.ca.
The budget for the by-election is estimated at $85,000 which will be funded through general surplus. By only having two advance voting opportunities and utilizing one voting location, costs are anticipated to be lower than previous elections.
Only one seat will be up for grabs at the by-election.
Despite being on mandatory leave since August of 2024, Coun. James Miller informed the city at the start of 2025 that he planned to serve out his full term and would not be resigning.
Miller is currently proceeding through the Ontario court system where he faces charges for alleged historic sex crimes.
