British Columbia’s 2026 local election season is underway.
The pre-campaign period begins Monday and Elections BC is reminding candidates, advertisers and voters of the rules and important dates leading up to election day.
While Elections BC oversees campaign financing and election advertising under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, the agency notes that local elections are administered by individual municipalities and regional districts.
“Unlike provincial elections, local elections are not managed by one organization,” Elections BC states on its website.
Each local government is in charge of running its own elections, from voting and counting to reporting results and handling candidate nominations.
Elections BC oversees campaign financing and advertising rules under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.
With the pre-campaign period underway, election ads are allowed as long as they include the required authorization statement and contact details.
For the 2026 election, campaign contributions—both monetary and in-kind—are capped at $1,429.70. In northeast B.C., local governments are already gearing up, hosting info sessions for potential candidates, with the Peace River Regional District, Fort St. John, and Tumbler Ridge inviting residents to get involved.
Nominations run from Sept. 1 to Sept. 11, campaigns officially start Sept. 19, and voting day is Oct. 17.
Elector organizations must register by July 31, while voters have until Aug 18 to register with Elections BC, though late registration is still possible through local governments before voting. Elections BC offices will be closed Sept. 7, Sept. 30, and Oct. 12 for statutory holidays.
As the election approaches, communities are encouraging people to learn about the process and consider running for office.
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