The outcome of the leadership race will be known at the end of June

Non-party members will also be able to mark a ballot for the Greens

The party has changed the voting age to people 16 years old or older

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — As the B.C. Green Party takes steps towards electing a new leader, a political scientist believes appealing to a young leadership vote is the right move.

The party says the leadership contest rules were developed with equity and diversity in mind and has changed the voting age to people 16 years old or older.

University of the Fraser Valley political scientist Hamish Telford says opening up the leadership vote to people who are younger than the voting age capitalizes on the young people who are politically active and worried about climate change.

The BC Green Party #Leadership contest rules were released today, along with an announcement that @AdamPOlsen will be interim leader of the party for the duration of the contest. For #Highlights of the leadership contest, visit our media release here: https://t.co/pEdfUdlAU8 pic.twitter.com/tCAyxtMYVq — BC Green Party (@BCGreens) December 20, 2019



“I think it is quite a good tactical move by the Greens to recruit people young and get them into their organization or affiliated with their organization,” he says. He believes the BC Greens are the first to have lowered the voting age.

Non-party members will also be able to mark a ballot for the Greens, something that has been done on the federal level. “The federal Liberal party, either before or after Justin Trudeau, created a new category. They had members, then they had supporters. That was a good way to build the ranks of the party. Some people have hangups about becoming a member but they are much more willing to be supporters.”

As for who might want to lead the party, he says Vancouver City Councillor Adrianne Carr’s name might be tossed around. She founded the party in 1983, became its official leader in 1993, and continued in that role until 2005.

He also says former federal Green Leader Elizabeth May might want the job.

“She’s no longer the leader of the federal party and if she became the provincial leader, it would drastically reduce her travel.”

Whoever leads, Telford says it’s got to be somebody with good organizational skills.

“Dr. Weaver was very strong on the science of climate change, and he was a good public performer, but I’m not so sure about his organizational efforts, building the party, recruiting good candidates and driving up membership. So I think those are the sorts you would want to look for,” he says.

According to the BC Green Party, the highlights of the leadership race include:

Expanded voter bas e to include those aged 16 and up who wish to support a candidate but do not wish to become a party member. Full membership in the party is already free for youth aged 25 and younger.

The spending limit for each candidate is $300,000, excluding fees paid to the party.

Three debates will take place after April 30. A debate will be held in each of the following regions: (1) Vancouver Island, (2) Lower Mainland, (3) rest of B.C..

Voting will take place from June 15-26 primarily online, with a secure telephone option for those without access to the internet. The party will use ranked ballots for a contest of three or more candidates, or first-past-the-post for a contest of two.

Fees paid to the party will total $16,000, plus a compliance deposit and 25% of additional contributions.

The outcome of the leadership race should be known June 28. MLA Adam Olsen will lead the party until then.