Elections: FAQ
A lot of questions arise during an election. Here are answers to some of the more frequently asked questions.
If you have a question that is not listed below, please connect with us!
Contact the Chief or Deputy Chief Election Officer via email or our main phone number.
| Am I on the Voter’s List? |
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District of Sechelt uses the provincial voters list in our local elections, so if you have recently voted in a provincial or federal election, you are likely already on the list. To check if your name is on the list, please give us a call or send us an email. If your name is not on the list but you are eligible to vote, you will still be able to register – either in person on voting day or with your mail ballot. |
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Am I eligible to vote on October 17? |
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You are eligible to vote for one Mayor, up to six Councillors for the District of Sechelt Council and up to three Trustees for the District of Sechelt School District if you live or own property in the District of Sechelt and you:
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| Can I register to vote on voting day? |
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Yes as long as you are qualified to vote and at your designated voting location. You must provide two pieces of ID, with at least one piece showing your signature. If your ID does not show your residential address, you can make a "solemn declaration" as to your residency. Acceptable forms of ID include:
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| What are the qualifications to Vote? |
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In order to vote, a person must be:
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| Who's Running for Council? |
| The District of Sechelt must remain a neutral party during elections, therefore, to find out more information about candidates for Sechelt Council (and all municipalities in BC) please go to the CivicInfo BC Elections website. The website will be updated when the candidates are known and provides contact information authorized for release by candidates. |
| Am I allowed to assist someone to vote who has a physical disability or other difficulty? |
| Yes. You must sign a written statement and also sign a solemn declaration in order to assist someone to vote. This can be done by mail ballot or in person. Speak to the presiding election official at the voting place for further information. |
| Can landed immigrants vote? |
| No, you must be a Canadian citizen to vote. |
| Can people living on First Nations lands vote? |
Yes, if the requirements of a resident elector or non-resident elector are met.
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| Can I view the Voters List? |
| Under the Local Government Act, the Voters List is available for public inspection. Anyone wishing to see the list must sign a sworn statement that they will not use it for any purpose that is not related to the October 17 local government election. The list must be viewed at the District of Sechelt in the presence of an Election Official and may not be copied, photographed or scanned. The only people allowed to have a copy of the Voters List will be official candidates who are declared by the Chief Election Officer after the nomination period. This is to protect the privacy of everyone on the Voters List. |
| Can I have a translator help me vote? |
| Yes. The person translating for you must sign a solemn declaration before providing any assistance. Speak to the presiding election official at the voting place for further information. |
| I’m concerned about my personal information on the Voters List. |
| If you do not want your personal information on the Voters List, you can fill out a Request to Omit Personal Information Form and we will redact identifying information such as your address. Please contact us directly to do this. |
| If I own more than one property, can I vote once for each property? |
| No. No person may vote more than one time in any election. |
| Is voting by Proxy permitted? |
| No. Please see information on mail ballot voting information. |
| Can someone vote in the name of the business they own or for a property owned by a corporation? |
| No. Only people can vote. |
| Can I take someone into the voting booth to help me? |
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| Are you planning to vote by mail? |
| To vote by mail you will need to complete an application form and send it to the District of Sechelt. Application forms will be available online and in paper at the municipal hall, 2nd floor, 5797 Cowrie Street, Sechelt BC starting in August 2026. |
| What is a Resident Elector? |
A person is a resident of the municipality where the person lives. To answer the question, "Where do I live?" refer first to the address given on the driver’s license and on Income tax statements.
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| What is a Non-Resident Property Elector? |
If you own property in the District of Sechelt but do not live here, you may vote as a Non-Resident Property Elector if you:
A person cannot vote on behalf of a corporation, or as a non-resident property elector, based on a property owned wholly or in part by a corporation |
| What if I own my property with other people? |
| Only one of the owners may vote on behalf of the property as a Non-resident property elector. If the property is owned by more than one person, the majority of owners have to decide which of them will be voting on behalf of the property and complete the Consent form. |
| Why do Non-Resident Property Electors need to provide a copy of their land title? |
| The land title proves both ownership and identifies how many people are on title. If there are more than one person on title, a written consent is required to designate one of the owners as the voter. |
| What can I do if I believe someone has committed an election offence? |
| If you believe someone has committed an election offence, contact your local police. The police are responsible for conducting an investigation and recommending to Crown counsel whether charges should be laid. Election offences are prosecuted through the judicial system. The Chief Election Officer does not investigate alleged election offences. |
| What are the penalties for not following election laws? |
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