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British Columbia · Voting and democracy

Municipal election in British Columbia 2026: how to vote

Compiled by Mahmoud Halat, checked

Short answer

B.C.'s general local elections are on Saturday, October 17, 2026. You can vote if you are 18 or older, a Canadian citizen, have lived in B.C. for at least six months, and live in the area or have owned property there for 30 days. Your local government runs the vote, sets the voting places and must offer at least one advance vote. Bring ID if you register when you vote.

Who handles it

Handled by your municipality: each city, town and rural municipality in British Columbia runs its own.

Canada Service Map is independent and not a government website. The official page always has the final word.

Who can apply

  • To vote where you live you must be 18 or older by voting day, a Canadian citizen, a B.C. resident for at least six months before you register, and a resident of that municipality or electoral area.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

  • If you live in one place and own property in another, you can also vote where the property is, once you have owned it for at least 30 days.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

  • When a property has several owners, only one of them can vote for it, and the majority of owners must name that person in writing.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

  • A student who studies away from home votes only once, either where they go to school or where they usually live.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

Steps

  1. Each local government picks how voters get on its list: registering at the voting place, using the provincial voters list, or keeping its own list. Ask your local government which one it uses.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

What you need

  • You need ID when you register at the voting place. If your local government registered voters in advance and you are on its list, you do not need ID.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

How long it takes

  • The 2026 general local elections are on Saturday, October 17, 2026, for municipal councils, regional districts and other local bodies.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

  • B.C. holds general local elections every four years on the third Saturday in October.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

  • Every local government must offer at least one advance voting day, 10 days before general voting day. Many offer more.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

Where to go

  • Your local Chief Election Officer sets the voting places. Check your local government's website, office, social media or its published election notices for times and locations.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

Good to know

  • Some local governments also let you vote by mail ballot.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

  • B.C.'s provincial election is a week later, on October 24, 2026. It is a separate vote from the local elections.

    Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

Questions people ask

When is the B.C. municipal election in 2026?

Saturday, October 17, 2026. The vote covers local governments, such as municipal councils and regional districts, and other local bodies.

Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

Do I need ID to vote in the B.C. local elections?

Only if you register at the voting place. If you are already on your local government's voters list, ID is not required.

Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

Where do I vote in the B.C. local election?

At a voting place set by your local Chief Election Officer. Your municipality or regional district lists them on its website and in its election notices.

Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

Can I vote in B.C. local elections without a fixed address?

Yes. You register when you vote and show two pieces of ID, one with your signature. You can sign a declaration about where you live if you have no document for it.

Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

Do I get time off work to vote in a B.C. local election?

No. Employers only have to give time off for provincial and federal elections. Local elections are held on a Saturday, with at least one advance vote.

Source: gov.bc.cachecked #

Other provinces and territories

Each province sets its own rules and dates.

  • British Columbia (this page)Election day: 17 October 2026
  • SaskatchewanElection day: 9 November 2026 for rural municipalities (even-numbered divisions); 29 July 2028 for resort villages; 8 November 2028 for cities, towns and villages, and for rural reeves and odd-numbered divisions
  • ManitobaElection day: 28 October 2026 for most municipalities; Victoria Beach, Dunnottar and Winnipeg Beach voted 24 July 2026
  • OntarioElection day: 26 October 2026
  • New BrunswickLast held 11 May 2026
  • Prince Edward IslandElection day: 2 November 2026
  • NunavutElection day: 25 October 2027

Your city or town

Each municipality runs its own, with its own rules and website. Start from your city's page:

Cite this page

Canada Service Map, "Municipal election in British Columbia 2026: how to vote", checked 13 October 2026, https://canadaservicemap.ca/services/vote-municipal/british-columbia