Elections: Voter Information

For the complete official rules for general local elections, please review:

• Part 3 of the Local Government Act

• Section 81 of the Community Charter

The right to vote is granted to citizens based on residency or property ownership.  No one is eligible to vote in relation to property owned through or in conjunction with a corporation. There are no proxy votes in a municipal election.  To be eligible to vote, you must either be a Resident Elector or a Non-Resident Property Elector.

Voting as a Resident Elector

To vote in the District of Sechelt election as a Resident Elector, you must:

• Be a Canadian Citizen;

• Be 18 years of age or older on the day of registration;

• Be a resident of the District of Sechelt on the day of registration;

• Have been a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration; and

• Not be disqualified from voting in an election.

Corporations, businesses and permanent residents of Canada (landed immigrants who have not yet become Canadian Citizens) are not permitted to vote.

Voting as a Non-Resident Property Elector

You are eligible to register as a Non-Resident Property Elector and vote in the District of Sechelt election if you 

• are a Canadian Citizen;

• are 18 years of age or older on the day of registration;

• have been a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration; 

• are not disqualified from voting in an election;

• are a registered owner, or an owner as joint tenant or tenant in common, of a real property in the District of Sechelt for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration; and

• (if applicable) have the written consent to vote from the majority of registered owners. 

Are you a Student?

If you attend school in a different jurisdiction than where your residence is located, you can vote in either jurisdiction but not in both.

Additional Information

• Non-Resident Property Electors will be asked to complete a Non-Resident Property Elector Registration Form which includes a Consent form from the other property owners. The forms are available at both advance voting opportunities and on general voting day.

Register to Vote

• You must be registered before you can vote in the general local election.

• The District of Sechelt uses the most recent provincial electors list as our registered resident electors list, so if you are registered to vote in the provincial elections, you are automatically registered to vote in the 2026 General Local Election prepared by Elections BC. 

• The District will adopt the Provincial Voters List as it stands on August 26, 2026 in accordance with the Elections and Other Voting Bylaw.  If you are not on the Voters List, you can still register to vote on Advance Voting Days or General Voting Day.  

• To register on voting day, you must show two pieces of identification - one to prove who you are and the other to prove where you live (i.e. includes your name and residential address).  One of the pieces of identification must also include your signature (e.g. driver's license, BC Services Card).

• If neither piece of identification shows your residential address, you must make a solemn declaration as to your place of residence.

Acceptable Voter Identification:

These are the only acceptable forms of identification for voters:

• BC Care Card

• BC Identification Card Issued by ICBC

• BC Services Card

• BC Driver's License

• Birth Certificate

• Canadian Passport or Citizenship Card

• Certificate of Indian Status

• Credit or debit card with name

• Income Tax Assessment

• Monthly Report/Request for Continued Income Assistance

• Nexus Border Card

• Owner's Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle License issued by ICBC

• Property Tax Notice issued by the District of Sechelt

• Social Insurance Card

• Statutory Declaration/Sworn Affidavit (from a notary public, lawyer, or commissioner for taking affidavits). 

• Student Card

• Utility bill (electricity, natural gas, water, telephone, or cable bill). 

• a document, issued by the government of Canada, that certifies that the applicant is registered as an Indian under the Indian Act (Canada), such as a status card, 

• a citizenship or membership card issued by a First Nation

• a citizenship card issued by Métis Nation British Columbia.

NOTE: If the BC Care Card and Driver’s License are combined, it only counts as one piece of identification. 

Non-resident property electors must produce two pieces of identification (at least one with a signature) to prove identity and that they are entitled to register in relation to property (e.g. property tax notice or certificate of title).  If applicable, written consent from the majority of property owners must be provided. Only one owner may register as a non-resident property elector.

Voting by Mail (Mail Ballot)

In addition to General Voting Day on Saturday, October 17 and the two Advance Voting Opportunities on Wednesday, October 7 and Wednesday, October 14, all eligible voters also have the option to vote by mail. 

Mail Ballot voting also allows non-resident property electors, seasonal residents, people travelling and people whose mobility or health is compromised, an opportunity to cast their ballot in the election via mail.  To receive a mail ballot package by mail, please complete and submit the online application a mail ballot before September 23, 2026.

Mail ballot application package

2026 Key Dates and Deadlines for Voting by Mail Ballot

The Chief Election Officer must receive the completed mail ballot no later than 8 pm on October 17, 2026.  Mail ballots received after this deadline will not be counted.

Request a Mail Ballot:

In accordance with the deadlines and information stated above, you must complete and submit the online application for a mail ballot before September 23, 2026 to the District of Sechelt. Online applications will be tracked by the District's Elections staff starting September 8, 2026.  If you have any questions or concerns, please email elections@sechelt.ca. 

How to Complete a Mail Ballot?

Full instructions will be included in your mail ballot package.

When will Mail Ballots be Counted?

To be counted, your mail ballot must be received by the Chief Election Officer no later than 8 pm on Saturday, October 17, 2026. 

The Chief Elections Officer will run all Mail Ballots through the automated voting machines at the Sechelt Seniors Activity Centre shortly after the close of voting on October 17, 2026 with the Special Voting ballots. 

Questions?

Reach out with your questions or concerns to elections@sechelt.ca