HST referendum results to be known by August

Referendum ballots for the HST vote will be mailed out starting June 13, the B.C. government announced Friday, in addition to other details about how residents will be able to cast their vote this summer.

The province says the majority of B.C. voters will receive their ballot from Elections BC by June 24.

The ballots need to be returned by 4:30 p.m. on July 22.

Results from the vote are expected to be released in August.

British Columbians who have moved since the last election, or are not registered to vote, will need to request a ballot from Elections BC.

The referendum question will be:

"Are you in favour of extinguishing the HST (Harmonized Sales Tax) and reinstating the PST (Provincial Sales Tax) in conjunction with the GST (Goods and Services Tax)? Yes/No."

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  Fight HST organizer Chris Delaney speaks during a protest outside the British Columbia Liberal Leadership Convention in Vancouver, B.C., on Saturday February 26, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck