2026 General Local Elections

Non-Resident Property Electors will be required to produce two pieces of identification (at least one with a signature) to prove identity (picture identification is not necessary), proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property (examples are tax notice, state of title certificate) and, if there is more than one owner of the property, written consent from the majority of the property owners. Voters are encouraged to have the written consent form completed and signed prior to voting day. You will be required to submit this form to vote as a non-resident property elector. Non-Resident Property Electors may not vote more than once within a voting jurisdiction regardless of the number of properties owned.

Accepted Documentation as Evidence of Identification

Classes of documents that may be accepted as evidence of identification are:
• BC Driver’s Licence
• BC Identification Card
• BC Care Card
• BC Gold Care Card
• Credit Card
• Debit Card
• Canadian Passport
• Property Tax Notice
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
• Government Issued Military Identification Card
• Firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence
• Certificate of Indian Status
• Current Utility Bill – Containing Elector’s Name and Address
• Owners Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence (issued by ICBC)
• Other documents sufficient to satisfy the Chief Election Officer

Note: A Combination BC Services Card and BC Driver’s Licence only counts as one document.

To request a mail ballot package, you must submit a completed Application to Vote by Mail to the qathet Regional District main office, located at #202-4675 Marine Avenue, Powell River, B.C., as early as possible in advance of General Voting Day.

Please note: for Applications to Vote by Mail received too close to general voting day, time will not permit issuing the Mail Ballot Package via mail, and the voter must arrange to pick up a Mail Ballot Package from the qathet Regional District main office, located at #202-4675 Marine Avenue, Powell River, B.C.

Applications can be obtained by contacting the Administrative Services department at 604-485-2260, by emailing vote@qathet.ca or by downloading the Application to Vote by Mail (coming soon).

Once your Application to Vote by Mail is approved, the Mail Ballot Package with instructions will be issued to you.

Voters are responsible for returning the completed Mail Ballot Package to the qathet Regional District main office. It is the elector’s responsibility to deliver or post the mail ballot in sufficient time for delivery to the qathet Regional District. To be counted, your Mail Ballot Package must be received by the Chief Election Officer no later than 8:00 pm on General Voting Day, Saturday, October 17, 2026.

IMPORTANT: In order to register to vote by mail ballot please note that you will need to provide photocopies of two pieces of acceptable identification that includes your name, address and signature.

Copies of other documents may also be required for non-resident property electors.

Classes of documents that may be accepted as evidence of identification are:
• BC Driver’s Licence
• BC Identification Card
• BC Care Card
• BC Gold Care Card
• Credit Card
• Debit Card
• Canadian Passport
• Property Tax Notice
• Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
• Government Issued Military Identification Card
• Firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence
• Certificate of Indian Status
• Current Utility Bill – Containing Elector’s Name and Address
• Owners Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence (issued by ICBC)
• Other documents sufficient to satisfy the Chief Election Officer

• Candidates must be Canadian citizens who have resided in BC for at least six months prior to nomination.
• Candidates must be nominated by two qualified electors who live or own property in the electoral area that the candidate is being nominated to represent. At the time of filing a nomination, candidates must also complete a financial disclosure form.
• If elected, candidates should expect to prepare for and attend approximately four Board and Standing Committee meetings per month, and also be available to their constituents.
• Directors will serve a four year term from November 2026 to November 2030.
  

Additional Resources (Links are External):

• What Every Candidate Needs to Know
• Thinking About Running for Office?
• Candidate’s Guide to Local Elections in B.C.
• Elector Organization Guide to Local Elections in B.C.
• Voter’s Guide to Local Elections in B.C.
• General Local Elections 101
• Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (LECFA)

If you have questions regarding campaign financing, please contact Elections BC:

Toll-free phone: 1-800-661-8683
email: electoral.finance@elections.bc.ca
Website: elections.bc.ca/local-elections/2026-general-local-elections/

Nomination Packages are Available for Download Here:

Completed nomination packages can only be accepted by the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Election Officers at qRD office within the Nomination period.

Nomination documents may be delivered by hand, by mail or by other delivery service, or by fax or email, with originals to follow. If the originals of nomination documents delivered by fax or email are not received by the chief election officer before the end of the twenty-ninth day before general voting day, the person nominated is deemed to have withdrawn from being a candidate in the election.

The qRD office is open Monday through Friday, excluding Statutory Holidays, from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Note that the Regional District office is closed for lunch between 12 pm and 1 pm.

Contact Chief Election Officer, Michelle Jones at vote@qathet.ca or call 604-485-2260.