# Vancouver municipal election ballot name dispute

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/vancouver-municipal-election-ballot-name-dispute
> Updated: 2026-09-18T18:52:01.000Z. Sources: 9. Developments: 2.

A legal dispute arose in Vancouver regarding the use of dual English and Chinese names on municipal election ballots. The city’s chief election officer, Jason Twa, challenged seven candidates—five from ABC Vancouver and two from OneCity—for including Chinese names on their nomination papers.

The candidates argued that their Chinese names are essential to their identities and necessary for engaging non-English-speaking voters, suggesting that English-only ballots could create barriers to civic participation. 

Following a court hearing, a British Columbia judge ruled in favor of the candidates, permitting them to use Chinese names on their election ballots.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-18: Vancouver candidates permitted to use Chinese names on ballots

A B.C. judge ruled that candidates in Vancouver may use Chinese names on their ballots.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vancouver-candidates-permitted-to-use-chinese-names-on-ballots

### 2026-09-16: Vancouver candidates head to court over ballot name dispute

Seven Vancouver election candidates are taking legal action after the chief election officer challenged their use of Chinese names on nomination papers.

6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/vancouver-candidates-head-to-court-over-ballot-name-dispute

---
Cite as: Vancouver municipal election ballot name dispute. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/vancouver-municipal-election-ballot-name-dispute