BC Liberals to move forward on Name Change vote with three days of online voting this month

With the BC Legislature taking a two week break from proceedings, first for Remembrance Day and then while the NDP government moves its leadership transition process ahead, the BC Liberals are keeping busy moving their own plans forward.

In an update for members from Friday, the BC Liberal outlined the timeline for their name change vote. 

With members to vote online from Sunday, November 13 to Tuesday November 15th, casting their ballot on whether the party should adopt the name of BC United as their new party name.

“As BC Liberals know very well, our name has been a constant topic of debate within our party for decades. This is an important step for the future of our party and I’m pleased all members will finally get the chance to have their say in a vote.

As I’ve said before, I’ll be voting in favour of this name change and I hope our members do too.” -- Kevin Falcon, BC Liberal Leader. 

The process for the vote was outlined as part of Friday's information release, advising members of the following timeline.

BC Liberal members in good standing as of today will receive an email with instructions on how to vote on Sunday the 13th at 10 am PT and will have until 10pm PT on Tuesday the 15th to cast their ballots. 

Members are encouraged to vote online, but those who are unable to do so may cast their ballot over the phone with assistance from a telephone help desk. In all cases, voter authentication will take place to protect the integrity of the process.

The ballot question will be simple: yes, I want to change the name of the party to “BC United,” or no, I want to remain as the “BC Liberal Party.” 

 If the vote is successful, the next steps include a constitutional ratification process for the new name as part of a delegated convention. This is expected to take place early in the new year, in accordance with the timing requirements set out in the BC Liberal Constitution. Following this, the name change will be implemented at a time deemed appropriate by the Leader.

The Party notes that if the vote count is in the affirmative for the change to BC United, they will retain the old BC Liberal name and any domains for it, something with would eliminate any other group from adopting the the title as theirs in the future.

More notes on the process ahead for BC Liberals can be reviewed here.

A review of the work of the party in the Legislature can be explored through our archive page, as well as our political blog D'Arcy McGee and our Victoria Viewpoints feature.