General Voting Day: Saturday, October 17 8 a.m.–8 p.m.

Where and how to vote
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Karen Rothe for Victoria City Council

A Better Direction for Victoria

I’m Karen Rothe – and I want to help shape the change Victoria needs.

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Where and How to Vote

Ready to vote for Karen on October 17? Choose how you plan to vote, then open the details you need.

Election Day

Saturday, October 17

  • 8 a.m.–8 p.m.
  • 12 locations across Victoria
  • Vote at any location
View 12 locations

Advance Voting

October 7, 13, 14 & 15

  • Victoria Conference Centre
  • Crystal Garden
  • University of Victoria
View hours and sites
  • October 7, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.: Victoria Conference Centre, Upper Pavilion, second floor, 720 Douglas St.
  • October 13, 14 and 15, 8 a.m.–8 p.m.: Crystal Garden, 713 Douglas St.
  • October 14, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.: University of Victoria Student Union Building, Michèle Pujol Room, 3800 Finnerty Rd.

Accessible voting machines are available at the Victoria Conference Centre and Crystal Garden.

Vote by Mail

Request by October 9

  • Requests open September 14
  • Request deadline: 4 p.m.
  • Ballots due October 17 by 8 p.m.
View mail ballot info

Eligible voters can request a mail ballot from September 14 until Friday, October 9 at 4 p.m. Completed mail ballots must be received by the City of Victoria by 8 p.m. on October 17 to be counted.

Before you vote

What identification should I bring?

If you are already on the voters list, bring one piece of ID. If you need to register at the voting place, bring at least two pieces of ID, one of which must include your signature. You can register at the voting place.

Am I eligible to vote?

Resident electors must be 18 or older on General Voting Day, Canadian citizens, residents of British Columbia for at least six months, residents of Victoria, and not disqualified by law from voting. Eligible non-resident property electors may also vote under additional rules.

What accessibility services are available?

All voting locations are wheelchair accessible. Priority lines, curbside or parking-lot voting, and help marking a ballot are available. Accessible voting machines will be available at the Victoria Conference Centre and Crystal Garden.

Karen Rothe in Victoria

Why I am Running

Victorians deserve a Council that acts today, with a plan for tomorrow. I believe in results that are real and tangible, and a Council that listens to you. What we do now will shape the future of our city - I will work collaboratively to drive change for our city that is affordable and delivers a lasting positive impact. Victoria is a beautiful city and it is at a tipping point. We need a better direction to ensure a better future for everyone.

Meet Karen

My Priorities

I will listen before decisions are made, explain the trade-offs and report honestly on whether the City delivered what it promised. I will focus on three things:

Our transportation routes must function as a connected and efficient system. Drivers, cyclists, transit riders, pedestrians, emergency responders and businesses all rely on safe, accessible, and reliable streets.

The outcome: Less congestion, safer streets, and faster, more reliable ways to get where you need to go.

My commitments:

  • Measure major transportation changes: Use clear measures for efficient and reliable traffic flow that is safe and accessible and supports reliable transit, business access, and fast emergency response. Try, test, and publish the results to make sure any changes work.
  • Protect emergency access: Make emergency vehicle access and response times a required part of every major road redesign and construction project. When someone needs help, they need it quickly.
  • Listen before changing how neighbourhoods move: Consult residents, businesses, bus companies, and first responders before making major changes, then publish a ‘what was heard’ report.

This means …

  • Identifying downtown congestion and accessibility as part of a public downtown action plan.
  • Renewing neighbourhood-level planning and test the Victoria 2050 plan against updated growth forecasts, infrastructure capacity and neighbourhood livability.
  • Planning streets and surrounding development together so that growth does not outpace transportation, emergency access, or essential infrastructure.

City Hall is spending residents hard-earned money, and many households and businesses are already being squeezed by rising costs. City budgets must meet today’s needs without creating avoidable costs and crises in the future.

The outcome: Fewer surprises, good value, and a clear explanation of where your money went and is going.

My three commitments

  • Show residents the full cost: Publish a public dashboard for major projects showing approved budgets, current costs, schedules, changes and long-term tax effects.
  • Review spending for results: Regularly review programs, grants and tax exemptions, and report their full costs and measurable results before deciding whether they should continue.
  • Keep taxes as low as possible while protecting essential services: Set priorities, examine what the City already funds and require major spending decisions to show their full long-term cost before Council votes.

This means …

  • Reviewing master engineering plans, capital plans, depreciation reports to better plan and budget for future capital expenditures, like the Crystal Pool to reduce property tax pressure on residents and businesses.
  • Publishing a multi-year infrastructure plan showing the condition, replacement cost and funding needs of roads, sidewalks, sewers, and City facilities.
  • Setting and publishing service standards for permits and resident inquiries, identify recurring delays and report whether the City is meeting its own timelines.

Everyone needs to know that Victoria is open for business. People need to be able to use and enjoy our city, including downtown, and know that their own neighbourhoods are also being listened to and supported. Foot patrols outreach workers need to work together to effectively help the city be safe and vibrant for all.

The outcome: Faster, better-coordinated help and public spaces that are safe and welcoming.

My commitments

  • Create one coordinated downtown safety plan: Bring police, bylaw, fire, outreach, health and housing partners together around shared priorities, clear responsibilities and public measures for safety, cleanliness, accessibility and service results.
  • Report whether the plan is working: Publish public-safety staffing, response times and outcomes so residents can see where services are improving and where gaps remain.
  • Give frontline workers the support to respond safely: Take violence and threats against first responders seriously, invest in their well-being and make sure staffing, equipment and policies keep pace with a growing city.

This means …

  • Reviewing the current downtown safety plan for areas of improved coordination and engagement then bringing all partners together to create an updated plan with clear, reportable measures for safety and service results.
  • Assessing development proposals for emergency access, infrastructure and service capacity, as well as their effects on rental homes, heritage buildings, trees and neighbourhood livability.
  • Bringing safe existing secondary suites into the permit system where practicable and use suitable City land for nonprofit and co-op housing, supporting stable and secure neighbourhoods.
Read the full plan

Show your support

Show your support

Election signs can go up starting September 19, 2026. Request a Karen lawn sign now and the campaign team will follow up closer to the campaign period.

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