Report of the Chief Electoral Officer of Canada following the May 12, 2003, and the June 16, 2003, by-elections
The 2003 by-elections
The by-elections held in 2003 resulted from the following resignations:
- October 11, 2002: John Alexander Richardson, Liberal Party of Canada, Member for Perth–Middlesex, Ontario
- March 14, 2003: Pierre Brien, Bloc Québécois, Member for Témiscamingue, Quebec
- March 17, 2003: Antoine Dubé, Bloc Québécois, Member for Lévis-et-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière, Quebec
The May 12 by-election
On April 6, 2003, the Prime Minister announced a by-election for May 12 to fill the vacant seat in the electoral district of Perth–Middlesex. That same day, I issued a writ to the returning officer for the electoral district directing him to conduct a by-election. This gave the returning officer an electoral calendar of 36 days.
Table 1 is an overview of the important milestones in the process from the issue of the writ to its return.
Date |
Election calendar day |
Event |
---|---|---|
April 6 | Day 36 | Issue of the writ; preparations made to open the office of the returning officer; voting by special ballot may begin |
April 9 | Day 33 | Revision of lists of electors begins |
April 10 | Day 32 | Notice of Election published; candidates may file nominations |
April 14 | Day 28 | Targeted revision begins |
April 16, 17 and 18 | Days 26, 25 and 24 | Voter information cards mailed to all registered electors |
April 21 | Day 21 (2:00 p.m.) | Nominations for candidates close |
April 24 and 25 | Days 18 and 17 | Reminder cards mailed |
May 1 | Day 11 | Revised lists of electors distributed |
May 2, 3 and 5 | Days 10, 9 and 7 | Advance voting |
May 6 | Day 6 (6:00 p.m.) | Revision and special ballot registration end |
May 9 | Day 3 | Official lists of electors distributed |
May 12 | Day 0 | Election day |
May 13 | Day –1 | Validation of the results |
May 22 | Day –10 | Writ returned |
The two by-elections of June 16
On May 11, the Prime Minister announced by-elections for June 16 in the electoral districts of Lévis-et-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière and Témiscamingue. That same day I issued writs to the returning officers of the two electoral districts directing them to conduct a by-election. This gave the returning officers an electoral calendar of 36 days.
Table 2 is an overview of the important milestones in the process from the issue of the writs to their return.
Date | Election calendar day |
Event |
---|---|---|
May 11 | Day 36 | Issue of the writs; preparations made to open the offices of returning officers; voting by special ballot may begin |
May 13 | Day 34 | Notice of Election published in Lévis-et-Chutes-de-la-Chaudière; candidates may file nominations |
May 14 | Day 33 | Notice of Election published in Témiscamingue; candidates may file nominations; revision of lists of electors begins |
May 19 | Day 28 | Targeted revision begins |
May 21, 22 and 23 | Days 26, 25 and 24 | Voter information cards mailed to all registered electors |
May 26 | Day 21 (2:00 p.m.) | Nominations for candidates close |
May 28, 29 and 30 | Days 19, 18 and 17 | Reminder cards mailed |
June 5 | Day 11 | Revised lists of electors distributed |
June 6, 7 and 9 | Days 10, 9 and 7 | Advance voting |
June 10 | Day 6 (6:00 p.m.) | Revision and special ballot registration end |
June 13 | Day 3 | Official lists of electors distributed |
June 16 | Day 0 | Election day |
June 17 | Day –1 | Validation of the results |
June 27 | Day –11 | Writs returned |