Elections

Voter Eligibility

You may be eligible to vote in the 2026 General Local Election as either a resident elector or a non-resident property elector. There is no corporate or business vote in B.C. local elections. Voting rights are based on residency or property ownership.

Resident Elector

You are eligible to vote as a resident elector if you are:

• 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day;
• a Canadian citizen;
• a resident of British Columbia for at least six months immediately before registering to vote;
• a resident of the electoral area where you are voting; and
• not disqualified from voting under the Local Government Act or any other law.

Non-Resident Property Elector

You may be eligible to vote as a non-resident property elector if you:

• are 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day;
• are a Canadian citizen;
• have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months immediately before registering to vote;
• have owned property in the electoral area for at least 30 days immediately before registering to vote;
• do not live in the electoral area where the property is located; and
• are not disqualified from voting under the Local Government Act or any other law.

Only one non-resident property elector may vote for each property. If the property is owned by more than one person, the owners must appoint one eligible owner to vote and provide written consent from the majority of the owners. A person may not vote on behalf of a corporation, or as a non-resident property elector based on property owned wholly or partly by a corporation.

Voters’ Guide to Local Elections in BC

Registering to Vote

The CCRD uses same-day voter registration, meaning eligible voters may register when they vote and must provide acceptable identification.

Resident electors registering at the time of voting must provide the information required for registration and show two pieces of identification. Identification must prove both identity and place of residence, and at least one piece must contain a signature. Non-resident property electors should also be prepared to provide proof of property ownership and any required written consent from the majority of property owners.

Acceptable Identification includes:

(a) a British Columbia Driver’s Licence,

(b) 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 under the Indian Act (Canada),
• a citizenship or membership card issued by a first nation,
• a citizenship card issued by Métis Nation British Columbia,

(c) an Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence issued by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia,

(d) a British Columbia CareCard or British Columbia Gold CareCard,

(e) a Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security Request for Continued Assistance Form SDES8,

(f) a Social Insurance Number card or confirmation of Social Insurance Number letter issued by the government of Canada,

(g) a Citizenship Card issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada,

(h) a real property tax notice issued under section 237 of the Community Charter or section 21 of the Taxation (Rural Area) Act,

(i) a credit card or debit card issued by a savings institution as defined in section 29 of the Interpretation Act, or

(j) 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.

Voting Opportunities

General Voting Day

Saturday, October 17, 2026

Voting hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Voting places will be confirmed and posted in September.

Advance Voting

The required advance voting opportunity is scheduled for Wednesday, October 7, 2026. Location and hours will be confirmed in September. A second advance voting opportunity is not required under the current CCRD election bylaw.

Special Voting Opportunities

The Chief Election Officer may establish special voting opportunities in accordance with the Local Government Act and CCRD election procedures. Two special voting opportunities are contemplated for the 2026 election. Dates and times will be confirmed in September.

Special voting opportunities are intended for eligible electors who are permitted to vote at those locations. Final details, including dates, locations, hours and eligible electors, should be included in the official Notice of Election and/or Notice of Advance Voting and Special Voting.

Mail Ballot Voting

Mail ballot voting is available to all eligible electors under the CCRD Mail Ballot Authorization and Procedure Bylaw No. 516, 2022.

Mail Ballot Application Period

Mail ballot applications may be accepted beginning 30 days before General Voting Day and ending at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 15, 2026, two days before General Voting Day.

For the 2026 election, the application period is September 17 to October 15, 2026 (4:00 p.m.).

Returning a Mail Ballot

Completed mail ballots must be received by the Chief Election Officer no later than 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Mail ballots received after the close of voting cannot be counted.

Mail ballot packages may be distributed by Canada Post, courier at the expense of the applicant, pick-up by the applicant, or pick-up by an authorized person, as set out in the CCRD mail ballot bylaw.

Mail ballot application forms and detailed instructions will be posted before the application period opens.