How to vote

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Election day in BC is Saturday, October 17th. There will be advance voting days before this. Mail-in ballots are also available. [need info on these]

Each local government is responsible for running its own local elections, including voting, counting, reporting results, and accepting candidate nominations.

Municipal elections are overseen by Elections BC. Most questions, including key dates, are covered on its 2026 General Local Elections page.

For details, check Elections BC’s Local Elections FAQ page

Eligibility to vote

To vote in local elections as a resident (or non-resident property elector), you must be:

• 18 or older;
• a Canadian citizen;
• a BC resident for at least six months when they register to vote;
• a resident of the municipality or electoral area on the day they register;
• not disqualified under the Local Government Act, or other law.

Eligible electors who live on a First Nation reserve can vote.

Further details on the Voter eligibility page.

Are you a student?

[special considerations for students]

Registering to vote

August 18th — Deadline for voter registration with Elections BC. (Voters can still register with their local government.) … HOW??

On voting day (Sat-Oct-17)

… ID required

Where & when to vote

This will be publicized by the City of Nanaimo, closer to election date. We’ll put the location list here.

[info on time off work for voting]

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