2026 General Local Election: I want to vote

You may be eligible to vote if you:

• are 18 or older on general voting day
• are a Canadian citizen
• have lived in British Columbia for at least six months immediately before registering
• live in the applicable electoral area when registering
• are not disqualified by law

Detailed voter eligibility information regarding Resident and Non-Resident electors is available on the Province of British Columbia website, click the link below.

Provincial Voter Eligibility Information (Resident and Non-Resident)

If you have not registered to be on the Provincial Voters List by August 18, 2026, you can register at the polls on advanced or general polling day.

To avoid having to fill out the forms on the advanced or general polling days, you can fill them out and have them ready for the Election Officials to review by downloading and printing the forms below.

RESIDENT FORM 200M

NON-RESIDENT FORM 7-2

NON-RESIDENT (MULTIPLE OWNERS) FORM 7-3

Advanced Voting Day

Wednesday, October 7, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Advanced Voting Day (Potential)

Wednesday, October 14, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

NOTE: This date will be determined after the declaration of candidates on September 11, 2026.

General Voting Day

Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Voting Stations for each Electoral Area and School Trustee Election

NOTE: Voting Stations will be posted here after the declaration of candidates on September 11, 2026.

What electoral area do you live in?

Enter your Civic Address in the RDCK – Public Web Map 

It is important to know the electoral area you live in and the Director you will be voting for on the General Local Election. “Step 2: Know when and where to vote” will identify the voting stations for each electoral area having a general local election.

NOTE: The Public Web Map for the RDCK does not include which School Districts you live in.

What school district do you live in?

School District Boundaries

The RDCK’s voting stations will include School Districts. 8, 10 and 20. “Step 2: Know when and where to vote” will identify the voting stations for each school district having a School Trustee Election.

SD 8 (Kootenay Lake): Serves Nelson, Slocan Valley, Kaslo, Meadow Creek, Salmo, Crawford Bay, and Creston.
SD 10 (Arrow Lakes): Serves Nakusp, New Denver, Edgewood, and Burton.
SD 20 (Kootenay-Columbia): Serves Castlegar

All voters must prove their identity and residential address before voting. There are three ways to do this. For a comprehensive list of acceptable documents please go to the Elections BC Website – Voter ID | Elections BC.

The list below shows examples but is not limited to the following:

Voting by Mail

Mail ballot voting packages are available from September 17, 2026 to October 14, 2026 @ 4:00 p.m.

Ballots must be mailed to the RDCK at Box 590, 202 Lakeside Drive, Nelson, BC V1L 5R4 by 8:00 p.m., Saturday, October 17, 2026 by 8:00 p.m.

In the event that ballots cannot be returned by mail they may be hand delivered to 202 Lakeside Drive in Nelson or to the appropriate voting station within the Electoral Area you are voting by Saturday, October 17, 2026 by 8:00 p.m.

To request a mail ballot see the contact information for the elections team at the bottom of the web page. Instructions will be included with your ballot package.

Candidates for each Electoral Area

NOTE: The candidates that will be on each Electoral Area ballot will be determined after the declaration of candidates on September 11, 2026.

What if I own property in the RDCK but do not live there?

Eligible Non-Resident Electors:

• Do not reside in the Electoral Area
• Are registered owners of real property in Electoral Area H for at least 30 days before the day of registration;
• Are 18 years of age or older on general voting day;
• Are Canadian citizens; 
• Are residents of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration;
• Are not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law.

If there are multiple property owners on title only 1 person may participate as a Non-Resident Elector with the consent of the other persons on title. “Step 1: Check whether you are eligible to vote” includes Non-Residential Forms 7-2 and 7-3 that are required to be filled out in order for an elector to vote.

If I am a Ktunaxa resident in the Creston Valley where do I vote?

The Ktunaxa residents that live in the Creston Valley are eligible to vote for the Electoral Area B Director.

Do I need to register before voting?

Eligible voters may register with the province before the “Advanced Electors Registration” deadline of August 18, 2026 or register at the voting place.

Can I vote at any voting location?

No, electors must vote at the voting locations within the electoral area they are voting. “Step 2: Know when and where to vote” provide details on voting locations.

Does the RDCK run the elections for the School District Trustee?

Yes, the RDCK will run the elections for School District Trustees within the electoral areas. If you reside in a municipality please go to municipal website to see if they are running the School District Trustee Election for their area.

Please visit School District Trustee Elections for more information on the trustee elections.

If you reside in a municipality, please go to municipal website to see if the School District Trustee Elections are taking place in Castlegar, Creston, Kaslo, Nakusp, Nelson, New Denver, Salmo, Silverton, or Slocan.