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.

You will be required to make a declaration that you are:

• not eligible to register as a resident elector;
• 18 years of age or older on general voting day for the election;
• a Canadian Citizen;
• a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration:
  • Advance Vote October 7, 2026 (April 6, 2026)
  • General Vote October 17, 2026 (April 16, 2026);
• a registered owner of the real property within the voting jurisdiction for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration:
  • Advance Vote October 7, 2026 (September 6, 2026)
  • General Vote October 17, 2026 (September 16, 2026);
• a registered owner not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust; and
• not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law from voting.

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:

• a British Columbia Driver’s Licence
• a BC identification card within the meaning of the Identification Card Regulation
• a photo BC services card within the meaning of the Identification Card Regulation
• a non-photo BC services card within the meaning of the Identification Card Regulation
• a document, issued by the government of Canada, that certifies that the applicant is registered as an Indian as defined under the Indian Act (Canada)
• a citizenship or membership card issued by a First Nation
• a citizenship card issued by Métis Nation British Columbia
• an Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence issued by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia
• a British Columbia CareCard or British Columbia Gold CareCard
• a Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security Request for Continued Assistance Form SDES8
• a Social Insurance Number card or confirmation of Social Insurance Number letter issued by the government of Canada,
• a Citizenship Card issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada,
• a real property tax notice issued under section 237 of the Community Charter or section 21 of the Taxation (Rural Area) Act
• a credit card or debit card issued by a savings institution as defined in section 29 of the Interpretation Act, or
• a utility bill issued for the supply of electricity, natural gas, water, telephone services or coaxial cable services by
  • a public utility as defined in section 1 of the Utilities Commission Act,
  • a gas utility as defined in section 1 of the Gas Utility Act,
  • a water utility as defined in section 1 of the Water Utility Act,
  • the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority, or
  • a corporation licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission for the purposes of that supply.

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

To determine your electoral area using iMap, please follow these steps:

1. Open the iMap system
2. Review the Terms of Use and click the “OK” button if you agree
3. Type in your address in the field provided in the top left corner
4. Click anywhere on your specific property shown on the map
5. Zoom out to see the Area boundary lines two which your property is within.

Apply to vote by mail by October 14, 2026 by submitting your name, mailing address, and qualifying property address to the Chief Election Officer. Mail ballot packages will be mailed to eligible applicants who apply by September 25, 2026; applications received after this date must arrange to pick up their package at the qathet Regional District main office, #202–4675 Marine Avenue, Powell River, BC. between the hours of 8:30 am – 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday. Follow the instructions provided with your package to complete and return your ballot. Completed mail ballots must be received by the Chief Election Officer no later than 8:00 p.m. on General Voting Day to be counted.

An election officer will follow up with you if any additional information is required.

IMPORTANT: In order to register to vote by Mail Ballot, you will need to provide photocopies of two pieces of acceptable identification, that includes your name, address, and one with a signature. Non-Resident Property Electors will be required to produce two (2) pieces of identification (one with a signature) to prove identity(picture identification is not necessary), and proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property (examples are tax notice, state of title certificate). If there is more than one owner of the property, written consent from the majority of the property owners. The Application to Vote by Mail, Owner Consent Form, and list of classes of documents that may be accepted as evidence of identification are available below. 

Voters are responsible for returning the completed Mail Ballot Package to the qRD main office between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m (closed daily between 12 pm – 1 pm). Monday to Friday. It is the elector’s responsibility to deliver or post the mail ballot in sufficient time for delivery to the qRD. 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.

Mail Ballot Application – Coming Soon

• 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?
• Supporting a Candidate for Local Elections in B.C.
• Voter’s Guide to Local Elections in B.C.
• General Local Elections 101
• Elections BC Guides and Resources

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.

Nomination forms for Lasqueti Island may be delivered in person to

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.