2026 General Local Elections - Links to Resources and FAQs
More information will be posted here as it becomes available.
Provincial Guides
- General Local Elections 101 - This brochure answers a few of the basic questions about local government elections in British Columbia.
- Voter's Guide to Local Elections in B.C. - This guide answers a few of the basic questions about local government elections in British Columbia.
- Voter's Guide for Electors Living on Reserve - This guide answers a few of the basic questions about local government elections in British Columbia for Indigenous and non-Indigenous electors living on Reserve.
- Thinking About Running for Local Office? - This brochure is to help prospective candidates answer questions they may have before deciding to run for local government office (municipality or regional district).
- What Every Candidate Needs to Know - This brochure provides candidates with basic information about general local election rules and answers questions about running for local office in British Columbia.
- Candidate's Guide to Local Elections in B.C. (Coming soon)
- Supporting a Candidate for Local Elections in B.C. - This brochure answers questions about how you can support candidates in local government elections in British Columbia.
- Scrutineer's Guide to General Local Elections in B.C. - This brochure answers questions and provides best practices about scrutineers and their role in general local elections in British Columbia.
- Foundational Principles of Responsible Conduct - These principles are intended to guide both the conduct of individual elected officials and the collective behaviour of the local government council or board.
- Election and Referendum Signs on Highway Rights-of-Way - Learn about the rules and requirements for placing election and referendum signs on provincial highway rights-of-way in British Columbia.
- The Role of Local Elected Officials - Learn about the responsibilities, expectations, and leadership role of local elected officials in British Columbia's local governments.
- For more information on general local elections, visit the Province of British Columbia Website.
Provincial Videos
- Videos: Being an Effective Elected Official (2022) - These videos from 2022 are intended to help potential candidates better understand what is involved in serving as an elected leader, including the skills needed to work with fellow elected officials, Indigenous partners, and the community at large. ​
- Video: The Importance of Running for Elected Office (2022) - Discover why serving in local elected office can make a meaningful difference in your community.
- Video: Characteristics of Effective Locally Elected Officials (2018) - Learn about the qualities and skills that help locally elected officials effectively represent their communities and make informed decisions.
- Video: What is Local Government (2018) - Learn how local government works in British Columbia, including its role, responsibilities, and impact on local communities.
- Video: Testing your Readiness for Local Office (2018) - Assess whether running for local office is right for you by exploring the commitments, responsibilities, and expectations of elected officials.
- Video: Local Government Decision Making (2018) - Learn how local government decisions are made, including the role of elected officials, public input, and collective decision-making processes.
- Video: Roles and Responsibilities of Locally Elected Officials (2018) - Learn about the key responsibilities of locally elected officials and their role in representing their communities, making decisions, and providing local leadership.
Regional District of Nanaimo Resources
Elections BC
- Elections BC Handbook for Local Candidates - This handbook is designed as a day-to-day resource to help local candidates understand their campaign responsibilities under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (LECFA) and associated regulations.
- Elections BC Guide to Campaign Financing for Local Candidates and Financial Agents in B.C. - This guide has been developed to assist local candidates and their financial agents to understand their responsibilities and legal obligations under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (LECFA).
- Elections BC Guide to Campaign Financing for Elector Organizations and Financial Agents in B.C. - This guide has been developed to assist elector organizations and their financial agents to understand their responsibilities and legal obligations under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (LECFA).
- Elections BC Guide to Elector Organization Registration and Deregistration - This guide provides an overview of the registration and deregistration requirements for local elector organizations under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (LECFA).
- Elections BC Elector Organization Annual Financial Report Completion Guide - This guide has been developed to assist registered elector organizations complete the annual financial reports as required by the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.
- Elections BC Guide for Local Elections Third Party Sponsors in B.C. - This guide is designed to help third party sponsors in local elections understand their responsibilities and legal obligations under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (LECFA).
- Local Elections FAQs - Find answers to common questions about local elections in British Columbia, including candidate eligibility, voting, campaign rules, and election administration.
- For more information on general local elections, visit the Elections BC Website
Election Signage
Placement and Timing
Elections BC does not regulate where and when signs may be placed. However, local governments have the authority to regulate the size, placement, maintenance and removal of signs and other forms of public advertising.
The Ministry of Transportation and Transit regulates sign placement on provincial highways and roadways. Signage may only be erected in highway rights-of-way during the permitted sign placement period (campaign period), which begins on September 19 and ends on October 17, 2026, with signs to be removed the day following the election. Please refer to the Ministry’s policy at www.gov.bc.ca/electionsigns.
The RDN only regulates the placement of signs in electoral areas, not the timing. Please refer to Election Signs and Advertising document (coming soon) and Sign Bylaw No. 993 for more information.
Generally, all election advertising (e.g., signs, posters, brochures, billboard and commercials) transmitted during the ‘pre-campaign and the campaign period’ must include information about who sponsored and authorized the ad. Election advertising as set out in the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, s. 7 (LECFA) is not restricted to during the campaign period, and includes the pre-campaign period. Visit Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (gov.bc.ca) for more information.