During the regular District of Barriere (DOB) council meeting on Monday, Dec. 16 the corporate officer, Tasha Buchanan, was appointed Chief Election Officer to run a 2025 by-election.
After the council meeting on Monday, DOB councilor, Louise Lodge told the Barriere ronaldomanosa, “The by-election dates are now set as we have appointed Tasha Buchanan as the Chief Election Officer, which is the norm considering her vast experience.”
Buchanan, the current corporate officer for the DOB has had significant experience working municipal elections in the capacity of deputy chief election officer since 2008 and as the chief election officer in 2022. She has taken numerous election training courses under the Local Government Management Association (LGMA) over the years with the most recent an online course offered by the LGMA specifically for by-elections due to a number of local governments requiring by-elections following the recent provincial election.
Former mayor of Barriere, Ward Stamer, resigned from his role with the DOB to run as a conservative candidate for MLA in the provincial election this fall and since being elected as MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson, DOB deputy mayor, Robert Kerslake announced his intention to run for mayor once a by-election was announced.
Following the appointment made by the DOB council on Monday evening, deputy mayor Kerslake said, “The mayor's seat was not on my radar however I am now committed to run for the position. I will resign my council seat no later than Dec. 30. I'm looking forward to the engagement with the community during this time and hope to be back in the seat in March.”
Chief administrative officer for the district, Daniel Drexler, also has experience working in general elections and has been appointed to act as the deputy chief election officer in support of Buchanan’s position as chief election officer during the by-election process.
Section 54(5) of the Local Government Act requires the chief election officer (CEO) schedule the by-election no later than 80 days after the appointment has been made by council.
Buchanan told the Barriere ronaldomanosa it is her intention to schedule a by-election for Saturday, March 1, 2025 and is notifying the Minister of Municipal Affairs and the BC Chief Electoral Officer of the by-election as required by legislation.
Now that Buchanan has been appointed as chief election officer, these are the key by-election dates:
January 2, 2025 / Nomination packages available
January 14, 2025 – January 24, 2025 / Nomination period begins at 9:00 a.m. January 14 and ends at 4:00 p.m. January 24
February 1, 2025 – March 1, 2025 / Campaign period
February 15, 2025 / Advance Voting Day
February 19, 2025 / Advance Voting Day
March 1, 2025 / General Voting Day
March 2, 2025 / First day candidate elected via acclamation can take oath of office.
March 24, 2025 / Anticipated Inaugural Council Meeting
May 30, 2025 / Financing disclosure statement deadline
June 29, 2025 / Financing disclosure statement late filing deadline with $500 late filing fee
