Election advertising rules have changed for this year's Municipal election

As the candidates begin to provide a bit more depth to their proposal for this 2014 Municipal campaign, those that control their finances and place their advertising are no doubt reviewing the latest guidelines to election advertising starting with this years municipal campaigns.

Elections BC which oversees the voting process for provincial and municipal elections outlined how the third party advertising provisions have been changed starting with this years vote, with the new provisions falling under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.

Those third parties which wish to place advertisements not sponsored by a candidate of elector organization have a number of conditions to meet prior to the window for advertising of September 30th to November 15.

Key to those conditions:

Participants must register with Elections BC as a third party sponsor before they conduct any advertising

They must include a name and contact information on all advertising

Must not sponsor advertising by, or on behalf of, a candidate or elector organization.

The full review of the changes to election advertising can be found at the Elections BC website here.

Registration forms and the complete Third Party Sponsor Guide to Local elections can be found at that link.

The advertising window slams shut at midnight on election eve, with media outlets forbidden from publishing or transmitting advertising on General Voting Day of Saturday, November 15th

So far in Prince Rupert, advertising has been limited to a few items from Mayor Jack Mussallem with one ad placed from Mayoralty contender Lee Brain.

You can review some of our thoughts on those advertising efforts thus far and more items on the Municipal Election Campaign on our archive page here.