2026 General Local Elections

Campaign Financing and Election Advertising

Elections BC administers the campaign financing and election advertising rules for local elections.

For questions about campaign contributions or expenses, election advertising, third-party advertising, supporting or promoting a candidate, or other campaign-related activities, please contact Elections BC directly.

Elections BC – Electoral Finance
Phone: 1-800-661-8683
Email: electoral.finance@elections.bc.ca

To register as a non-resident property elector you must:

be 18 years of age or older on general voting day [October 17, 2026];
be a Canadian citizen;
be a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting);
be a registered owner of real property in the voting jurisdiction for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting);
not be entitled to register as a resident elector in the voting jurisdiction; and
not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law.

In addition, for non-resident property electors:

The only persons who are registered owners of the property, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, are individuals who are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust.

If more than one individual is registered owner of the property, only one of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majority of the individual owners, register as a non-resident property elector [Download the Owner Consent Form here].

IN ADDITION, IN ORDER TO REGISTER AT TIME OF VOTING:

Electors must provide either the birth date or the last 6 digits of the social insurance number of the applicant.

Resident electors must produce 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature). Picture identification is not necessary. The identification must prove both residency and identity.

Non-resident property electors must produce 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature) to prove identity, proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property, 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.

General Voting Day Locations (October 17, 2026)

Apply to vote by mail by October 14, 2026 by submitting your name, mailing address, and qualifying property address to the Chief Election Officer using this form. [Request for Mail Ballot Application]

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

Mail ballot packages will be mailed to eligible applicants who apply by October 1, 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.

Once your application is received, your mail ballot will be issued to you. 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.

At the time of voting, 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, 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 is required [Download the Owner Consent Form here].

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.

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 [Download PDF]

Owner Consent Form [Download PDF]

• 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

Local Government Decision Making

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/

Completed nomination packages can only be accepted by the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Election Officer’s qRD office within the Nomination period. Nomination period will start at 9:00 am, September 1, 2026 and end on September 11, 2026 at 4:00 pm.

Need more information?

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

#202 4675 Marine Ave, Powell River, B.C.

Need information about School District or City of Powell River elections? Please check the linked resources below:

Qualicum School District (No. 69) (Electoral Area G – Lasqueti Island)

Islands Trust Trustee (Lasqueti Island)

SD47 School Trustee (City of Powell River, Electoral Areas A – D)

City of Powell River