Municipal Election 2026

Municipal Election 2026

Quick Links:

• Nomination Packages HERE *Pick up a package in person at 209 Dutch lake Road, Clearwater BC (8:30am-4pm)
• Nomination Application HERE.
• Election Worker Application HERE. *Job Description HERE.
• Candidate Information Session Registration HERE.

In British Columbia, general local government elections take place every four years.  These elections provide residents (electors) with a direct way to participate in local democracy by choosing the individuals who will represent the community and whom will make decisions on behalf of the residents for the municipal government during the next term.

Elector Registration (District of Clearwater Elections Bylaw No. 180, 2018)

• Voter day registration – a person may register only at the time of voting

Voting Opportunities:

On these dates you will be able to cast a vote for a four (4) year term of office (2026-2030) for:

Mayor (1 to be elected)

Councillor (6 to be elected)

Are you thinking about running for Office?

Notice of Nomination

A person must meet certain eligibility requirements to be eligible to run for local government office in a general local election. A person funning for Council does not have to live or own property in the local government where they are running for office, but must:

• Be 18 years of age or older on general voting day
• Be a Canadian citizen
• Have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months immediately before filing nomination documents
• Not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia or from being nominated for, being elected to or holding office, or be otherwise disqualified by law

To run for Council for the District of Clearwater your nomination documents must include two signatures of residents that have a physical address within the municipal boundary.

Nominator:

Prospective candidates for local government office must be nominated by at least two eligible electors from the jurisdiction where the person is seeking election. A nominator must be a qualified elector of the municipality or electoral area (or neighbourhood constituency, if applicable) where the candidate is running.

To nominate a candidate for local office, a nominator must:

• Be 18 years of age or older when they register to vote or will be 18 years of age or older on general voting day
• Be a Canadian citizen
• Have been a resident of B.C. for at least six months before registering to vote
• Be a resident in the municipality or electoral area for which the nomination is being made, or in the case of a non-property resident property elector, own real property in the municipality or electoral area, for 30 days immediately before the day of registration
• Not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or be otherwise disqualified by law

To run for Council for the District of Clearwater your nomination documents must include two signatures of eligible electors that are a resident within the District boundary.

The Provincial legislation outlines the rules governing election campaigns, campaign financing, and how candidates may promote their candidacy.  For more detailed information on running for office.

Elections BC:  Questions on campaign financing and advertising rules should be directed to Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683 or  electionbc@elections.bc.ca

Information for Candidates: Important information on campaign financing and advertising rules can be found here.

Nomination Packages: For candidates running for Mayor or Councillor, nomination packages are available for download from this page or for pickup at municipal hall at 209 Dutch Lake Road.

To be announced:  Date for Seminar “Why Run for Council”

Up coming Key Dates:

District of Clearwater Election Officials:

Chief Election Officer – Leslie Groulx – contact elections@docbc.ca  or call 672-648-0930.

Deputy Chief Election Officer – Byron Johnson – contact bjohnson@docbc.ca

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

Check in regularly to see updates as they unfold.