Concerns are being raised about the number of transit referendum ballots that are ending up in recycling bins in some Metro Vancouver apartment mail rooms.

The mail-in ballots for the regional plebiscite began going out in the mail about a week ago.

Metro Vancouver residents are being asked to vote on a new 0.5 per cent sales tax to fund a ten-year plan to upgrade the regional transit and transportation infrastructure.

But West End resident Gloria Davies said she has seen many of the ballots end up in recycling bins and she is concerned they could end up in the wrong hands.

"I don't think the way it's being done is probably the best way," said Davies.

CBC News checked five buildings in the West End of Vancouver and found discarded ballot packages in four of those five buildings.

But while it may be possible for someone to steal the discarded ballots, it may not be as easy for someone to use a stranger's ballot to cast a fraudulent vote.

The Elections B.C. video says all ballots must be returned with the signature and birth date of the voter filled in on the ballot certification envelope.



