The number of people in Langley who have already voted in the plebiscite on the proposal to boost the sales tax by 0.5 per cent to pay for transit expansion is very heartening.
As of Wednesday, almost 42 per cent of Langley Township voters had voted in the referendum — with two more weeks to go until ballots must be returned. This is already more than 10 per cent above the number who voted in the 2014 municipal election. Just under 30 per cent voted at that time.
In Langley City, where voter turnout is almost always abysmal, almost 39 per cent of voters have already returned their ballots. This is almost double the 20 per cent who voted last November.
Why is there such interest in voting on this plebiscite?
For one thing, it’s much easier to take part. All voters have to do is fill out the ballot and mail it back to Elections BC. If they want to drop the completed ballots by the Elections BC storefront at Willowbrook Shopping Centre, they can do that instead.
Second, there is only one decision to make. This is very different from the municipal ballot, where voters are asked to choose one candidate for mayor, eight (six in the City) candidates for council and five (two in the City) for the board of education. It is much easier to make a decision.
Third, there is strong public interest in this question. TransLink service affects many people — it offers bus and SkyTrain service to residents, and helps pay for road maintenance. It also operates the (tolled) Golden Ears and (free) Pattullo bridges.
Paying more sales tax to help fund it is controversial. While many people in Vancouver, where transit service is good, are all for paying a bit more to add services (including a new subway line under Broadway, which accounts for almost one-third of the amount to be raised by the tax increase), most people in Langley will gain little in the way of new services. An LRT line is to be built here, but won’t be in service for 12 or more years.
Aldergrove business people are very concerned that a higher sales tax, which will not apply in neighbouring Abbotsford, will hurt their businesses substantially. This is a genuine concern — cross-border shopping proves people will drive significant distances if they think they are saving some money.
Those who have not received a ballot can call Elections BC until midnight today (Friday, May 15) and ask for one. The phone number is 1-800-661-8683.
The ballots must be in the hands of Elections BC by 8 p.m. on Friday, May 29. If you are concerned about the mail-in ballot being returned on time, take the completed ballot to the office at Willowbrook. It is open during mall hours, but closed on Sundays.
The participation rate indicates that many people are very interested in casting ballots on this question. If you haven’t voted yet, do so soon.