CHIEF ELECTORAL OFFICER, LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA

May 14

Location: Victoria
Salary: $411,840
Deadline: June 20, 2025

On February 24, 2025, the Legislative Assembly appointed the Special Committee to select and unanimously recommend the appointment of the Auditor General, Chief Electoral Officer, and Conflict of Interest Commissioner.

Position Overview

The Chief Electoral Officer is an officer of the Legislature appointed as set out in the Election Act. As a non-partisan officer of the Legislature, the Chief Electoral Officer is independent from the executive branch of government, and reports and is accountable to the Legislative Assembly.

The Chief Electoral Officer is responsible for the fair and impartial administration of electoral events in British Columbia and ensures compliance with governing legislation. The Chief Electoral Officer carries out the duties and powers set out in the Election Act, the Constitution Act, the Electoral Boundaries Commission Act, the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, the Recall and Initiative Act, and the Referendum Act.

Appointment Term and Process

Section 4 of the Election Act provides that the Lieutenant Governor must appoint as Chief Electoral Officer an individual who has been unanimously recommended for the appointment by a special committee of the Legislative Assembly (the “Special Committee”). The Chief Electoral Officer’s term ends 12 months after the date set for the return of the last writ for the second general election for which they administer. The Chief Electoral Officer may be reappointed, in the same manner, for an additional term or terms. Location

The Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (Elections BC) is located in Victoria, British Columbia. The Chief Electoral Officer is expected to reside in the Greater Victoria region.

Compensation and Benefits

Pursuant to section 7 of the Election Act, the Chief Electoral Officer is to be paid a salary equal to the salary paid to the chief judge of the Provincial Court of British Columbia. For the 2025-26 fiscal year, the estimated salary is $411,840.

The Chief Electoral Officer is reimbursed for travel and other expenses incurred in performing the duties of the position. The Chief Electoral Officer is also eligible for enrolment in the Public Service Pension Plan, in accordance with the terms and conditions of that plan, with each year of eligible service counted as 1.5 years of pensionable service. The detailed terms and conditions of appointment and the associated benefits are specified in the letter of offer provided to the recommended candidate by the Special Committee.

Accountability to the Legislative Assembly and Statutory Reporting Requirements

As an officer of the Legislature (also referred to as a statutory officer), the Chief Electoral Officer is accountable and reports to the Legislative Assembly through both the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly and through any designated parliamentary committees. The Legislative Assembly has delegated general oversight of statutory officers and their respective offices to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. The oversight delegated to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services includes considering and making recommendations regarding annual reports, service plans, office budgets, and any other matters that may arise respecting the effective and efficient administration of Elections BC. Such delegated oversight may be adjusted from time to time by resolution of the Legislative Assembly.

Section 13 (1) of the Election Act requires that the Chief Electoral Officer report annually to the Legislative Assembly through the Speaker on the work of Elections BC.

That section also requires the Chief Electoral Officer to present the following reports to the Speaker: a report on the proceedings, results, and costs of each election or plebiscite; a report on any recommendations made under section 12 (2) (a) of the Election Act respecting amendments to the Election Act or other enactments affecting election matters; and any reports required regarding a Member of the Legislative Assembly who has failed to comply with Part 10 of the Election Act. Section 153 of the Election Act requires that, following a decision on an application to the Supreme Court to find an election invalid made under section 150, the Chief Electoral Officer must also report to the Speaker regarding the application and the decision of the Court. The Chief Electoral Officer has further responsibilities to report to the Speaker under the Recall and Initiative Act.

Statutory Powers, Duties, and Responsibilities

The Chief Electoral Officer carries out the powers, duties, and responsibilities set out in the Election Act, the Constitution Act, the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, the Recall and Initiative Act, and the Referendum Act, including but not limited to:

providing leadership and direction in the administration of electoral processes including provincial general elections, by-elections, plebiscites, recall petitions, initiative petitions, and initiative votes;
overseeing and ensuring compliance with provincial and local campaign financing and advertising requirements;
maintaining a register of political parties, elector organizations, and third party and advertising sponsors;
enforcing electoral law as applicable, including by investigating and adjudicating alleged or possible contraventions;
maintaining the provincial list of voters and list of future voters and conducting enumerations of all eligible citizens; and
providing information to the public regarding voter registration procedures and election proceedings.

Financial and Human Resources Management

The Chief Electoral Officer is accountable for the effective and efficient administration of Elections BC. As the head of Elections BC, the Chief Electoral Officer has managerial authority over staff, currently consisting of approximately 80 full-time equivalent positions with Elections BC and up to 18,000 temporary staff hired for provincial electoral events. Elections BC’s core operating budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year is $13,948,000. In 2024-25, Elections BC’s event budget, which included the cost of administering the 43rd provincial general election and conducting the 2024 enumeration, was $76,079,000.

In addition to the Chief Electoral Officer’s statutory reporting requirements, the Chief Electoral Officer is expected to issue multi-year strategic plans for the Office, that include goals and performance measures for consideration by the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services on an annual basis. The Chief Electoral Officer is also expected to provide accurate and fiscally responsible budget proposals, forecasts, and reporting in alignment with the expectations set by the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services. The Chief Electoral Officer is expected to ensure that Elections BC has policies and procedures in place to ensure the responsible management of financial and human resources, including standards of conduct and respectful workplace policies applicable to Elections BC staff.

Qualifications

Education and Experience

A post-secondary qualification in a relevant field of study, such as law or public administration
Experience providing leadership and direction in the administration of electoral events
Experience conducting sensitive investigations in a thorough, impartial, and fair manner
Experience analyzing, interpreting, and applying legal principles and statutory provisions
Experience in financial, human resources, and organizational management in a senior capacity
Experience communicating with the public, media, and senior officials
Experience working with and meeting the needs of diverse communities, including Indigenous Peoples

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge

Knowledge of election administration best practices and emerging issues, election and campaign finance law, the importance of democratic engagement, and practices to improve the accessibility of voting
Knowledge of the context within which the Chief Electoral Officer operates, including the Legislative Assembly and its parliamentary committees, the Executive Council, government, the public service, and external stakeholders
Knowledge of the principles of investigative processes and electoral law, including administrative and procedural fairness

Leadership

Strong leadership skills, including the ability to manage, motivate, and develop strong relationships with staff, based on trust, respect, effective communication, and common goals
Ability to build and maintain a respectful and inclusive workplace culture
Ability to demonstrate strategic thinking and long-term vision to set and achieve organizational goals and lead organizational change
Effective delegation and management skills, including rapidly adjusting organizational size and efforts based on scheduled and unscheduled electoral events

Organizational Management

Organizational management skills including managing assets effectively and preparing organizational budgets while exercising discretion in spending matters
Ability to promote public accountability and transparency in the work of Elections BC
Ability to improve organizational performance by identifying, promoting, or introducing previously unknown or untried procedures

Communication and Relationship-Building

Demonstrated collaboration and interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively, both verbally and in writing
Ability to articulate the importance of effectively administered elections and democratic engagement and to explain the substance of and rationale behind decisions and recommendations made pursuant to applicable legislation
Ability to build effective relationships with Members, parliamentary committees, government, and external stakeholders
Ability to interact effectively and respectfully with Indigenous peoples, as well as communities and individuals from diverse backgrounds

Analysis and Judgement

Strong problem-solving aptitude and ability to conceptualize new strategies and approaches to addressing complex issues and organizational needs
Ability to make sound and impartial decisions in routine, sensitive, and/or public matters
Ability to consistently apply legislative and regulatory requirements to specific circumstances

Personal Suitability

Demonstrated record of non-partisanship
High degree of integrity and strong personal and professional ethics
Commitment to the values of impartiality, fairness, transparency, and accountability
Respected in chosen career and in the community at large

Personal Conduct

The Chief Electoral Officer is expected to uphold their oath of office, abide by all policies of Elections BC, and create, foster, and maintain a safe and positive work environment for all staff. This includes modelling respectful and professional conduct expected of a senior public officeholder.

The Chief Electoral Officer is not entitled to vote in an election and is subject to the impartiality requirements in section 5 (3) of the Election Act.

The appointment of the Chief Electoral Officer will be subject to the successful completion of a criminal record check.

Application Process & Deadline

The Special Committee is currently accepting applications for all three positions. The deadline to apply is June 20, 2025 at 5:00 pm. If you are interested in applying for one of the statutory officer positions, please submit your CV and cover letter by email to StatutoryOfficers2025@leg.bc.ca and include in the subject line the position for which you are applying.

Racquel Fraser