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, and 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 Voting Day – October 7, 2026 (April 6, 2026) and General Voting Day – 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 Voting Day – October 7, 2026 (September 6, 2026) and General Voting Day – 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.

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.

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, 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.

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 [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/

qathet Regional District Electoral Area Directors (Electoral Areas A, B,C, D and E)

Islands Trust: Lasqueti Island Local Trust Area Trustees

School District No. 47, qathet School District, School Trustees Nomination Package

School District No. 69, Qualicum School District School Trustees

School District No. 69, Qualicum School District School Trustees (Electoral Area G) Nomination Package

IMPORTANT: All candidates must complete and submit a financial disclosure statement

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.

Nomination documents may be delivered by hand, by mail or by other delivery service, or by fax or email.

By hand, mail or other delivery service:
#202-4675 Marine Avenue, Powell River, BC V8A 2L2
Office hours: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm (closed weekends and holidays)
From: 9:00 am September 1, 2026 To: 4:00 pm September 11, 2026

By fax to: 604-485-2216
By email to: vote@qathet.ca
From: 9:00 am September 1, 2026 To: 4:00 pm September 11, 2026

Appointments may be scheduled for in-person delivery of  documents on Lasqueti Island:
To schedule, please call the qathet Regional District: 604-485-2260 or via email at vote@qathet.ca

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 every day.

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