The District of Clearwater General Local Election will be held Saturday, October 17, 2026. Local government elections in British Columbia are held every 4 years, with the successful candidates serving the 2026–2030 term.

Election at a Glance

1 Mayor
6 Councillors
4-year term

Advance Voting: October 7, 2026 | 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
General Voting: October 17, 2026 | 8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
Location: DLCC Gym, 209 Dutch Lake Road, Clearwater

Quick Links

Key Election Dates

DATE	MILESTONE
September 1–15, 2026	Challenge Period – nominations may be challenged
September 11, 2026	Close of Nominations – Declaration of Candidates
September 18, 2026	Withdrawal of Nomination (by Candidate)
September 19, 2026	Campaign Period Begins
September 19–October 22, 2026	Campaign Period
September 19–October 22, 2026	Election Signs (MOTI: September 19–October 18)
September 21, 2026	Declaration of Election by Voting
September 30, 2026	National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Elections BC Closed
October 7, 2026	Advance Voting Opportunity
October 12, 2026	Thanksgiving Day – Elections BC Closed
October 17, 2026	General Voting Day – Preliminary results will be announced after the close
No later than October 21, 2026	Declaration of Official Election Results
November 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM	Inaugural for Elected Officials
January 15, 2026	End of Period to File Campaign Financing Disclosure Statement with Elections BC

Thinking About Running for Council?

Candidates may run for Mayor or Councillor.

Candidate Eligibility

You must:

Be 18+ on General Voting Day
Be a Canadian citizen
Have lived in British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before filing nomination documents
Not be disqualified from voting, being nominated, being elected or holding office

You do not have to live in or own property in Clearwater to run for Council.

Nominations

Candidates require 2 eligible nominators from within the District of Clearwater.

Nomination packages are available:

Download the Nomination Package

or pick up a printed package at:

District of Clearwater
209 Dutch Lake Road
Monday–Friday | 8:30 a.m.–4:00 p.m.

For provincial rules regarding campaigning, advertising and campaign financing, visit Elections BC – Candidate Information or Running for Local Office in BC.

Voter Information

The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms give Canadian citizens the right to vote. The District of Clearwater engages voting day registration, which means eligible voters are required to prove who they are at the time of voting in order to vote. All District of Clearwater residents who meet the eligibility criteria listed below can vote in the 2026 Election. People who own property in Clearwater but live outside of the municipal boundary of Clearwater are eligible to vote.

Resource: Voter’s Guide to Local Elections in BC

Voter Eligibility – Who Can Vote?

You are eligible to vote in the District of Clearwater for the Local Election if you:

Are a Canadian citizen;
Are 18 years of age or older on or before general voting day;
Have lived in BC for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration and voting;
Are not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other Act, or the Courts from voting in a local election.
Qualify as a Resident Elector: you must be a resident of the District of Clearwater on the day of registration (at time of voting);
Or qualify as Non- Resident Property Elector: you must have owned property in Clearwater for at least 30 days before voting day.

You must also qualify as either:

Resident Elector
Resident of Clearwater on the day of registration (at time of voting).

Non-Resident Property Elector
Owner of property in Clearwater for at least 30 days before voting.

Non-resident property owner

If you own property in the District of Clearwater but reside elsewhere in BC, you may qualify to register and vote as a non-resident property elector in the upcoming election.

Only 1 person registered on title may vote per property AND that person requires written consent from a majority of all others listed on title in order to vote.

Non-resident property electors must be:

18 years of age or older on general voting day;
a Canadian Citizen;
a resident of BC for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration;
the registered owner of real property for at least 30 days before the date of registration;
not disqualified from voting under the Local Government Act or any other piece of legislation; and
not entitled to register as a resident elector of the municipality.

How do I vote as a Non-Resident Property Elector?

You will be required to complete the Non-Resident Property Elector application
You will be required to complete the Non-Resident Property Elector Consent Form if there are 2 or more property owners registered on title
provide 2 pieces of ID proving identity and residency (see acceptable identification)
submit proof of ownership of the real property located in the District of Clearwater

See the Voter’s Guide to Local Elections in BC for additional information.

Acceptable Pieces of Identification

The following are deemed to be acceptable identification for the purpose of registering to vote (one piece must contain your signature);

British Columbia Driver’s Licence;
a British Columbia Identification Card issued by the Motor Vehicle Branch;
an Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence issued by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia;
a British Columbia Service Card;
a Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security Request for Continued Assistance Form;
a Social Insurance Card issued by Human Resources Development Canada;
a Citizenship Card issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada;
a Document, issued by the Government of Canada, that certifies that the applicant is registered as an Indian under the Indian Act (Canada), such as a status card;
a Citizenship or membership card issued by a First Nation;
a Citizenship card issued by Métis Nation British Columbia;
a real property tax notice issued under section 237 of the Community Charter;
a credit card or debit card issued by a savings institution as defined in section 29 of the Interpretation Act;
a utility bill issued for the supply of electricity, natural gas, water, telephone services or coaxial cable services;
a Birth certificate; or
Canadian passport

If you own more than one property in the District of Clearwater, you can only register for one of the parcels.

If a company, corporation or trust is registered on title, no individual is eligible to vote as a non-resident property elector for that property.

Where & When to Vote

Advance Voting

Wednesday, October 7, 2026
8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
DLCC Gym
209 Dutch Lake Road

General Voting Day

Saturday, October 17, 2026
8:00 a.m.–8:00 p.m.
DLCC Gym
209 Dutch Lake Road

Special Voting Opportunities

Special voting is available to qualified residents, patients and/or staff at the following locations on October 17, 2026:

Evergreen Acres Senior Citizen’s Home Society
9:00–10:00 a.m.
144 Evergreen Place

Dr. Helmcken Memorial Hospital
11:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
6:30–7:30 p.m.
640 Park Drive

Election Contacts

Leslie Groulx

Chief Election Officer
elections@docbc.ca
672-648-0930

Byron Johnson

Deputy Chief Election Officer
bjohnson@docbc.ca

District of Clearwater
209 Dutch Lake Road, Clearwater, BC V0E 1N2
250-674-2257

The District of Clearwater is responsible for administering the local election, including candidate nominations, voting, ballot counting and reporting election results.

Municipal Election 2026