Elections: Voter Information
The right to vote is granted to citizens based on residency or property ownership. To be eligible to vote, you must either be a Resident Elector or a Non-Resident Property Elector.
Resident Electors
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.
Non-Resident Property Electors
To vote in the District of Sechelt election as a Non-Resident Property Elector, you must:
• Be a Canadian Citizen;
• Be 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;
• Not be disqualified from voting in an election;
• Be a registered owner of a real property in the District of Sechelt for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration;
• Be registered as a non-property elector only in relation to one parcel of real property in the City; and
• If applicable, have written consent from majority of registered owners.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
- Only one registered owner can vote per parcel.
- Non-Resident Property Electors will be asked to complete a Non-Resident Property Elector Registration Form, including a consent form from the other property owners. The forms are available at both advance voting opportunities and on general voting day.
- Property owners residing in any country or province other than British Columbia are not eligible to vote.
REGISTER TO VOTE
The District of Sechelt uses the most current available provincial list of electors prepared by Elections BC. The District will be adopting the Provincial Voters List as it stands in August 2026. If you are listed on the Provincial Voters List, you should be on the District’s List of Electors. 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 which prove who you are and where you live (i.e. includes your name and residential address) and 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:
• 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.
MAIL BALLOTS
In the 2026 election, eligible voters can request to vote by mail. This represents a huge expansion in access to voting for District of Sechelt residents, as well as District of Sechelt property owners who meet the qualifications for a Non-Resident Property Elector.
2026 KEY DATES FOR MAIL BALLOTS
- Apply to receive a mail ballot package by mail - Tuesday September 8, 2026
- Deadline to apply for a mail ballot package by mail - Friday September 25, 2026
- Deadline to pick up mail ballot package in person at Municipal Hall - Friday October 2, 2026
- Deadline to return a completed ballot package to the Chief Elections Officer is 8 pm on Saturday October 17, 2026 at the Seniors Activity Centre in Sechelt, BC.
Ballots received after 8 pm on October 17, 2026, will not be counted.
To increase transparency, a list of voters whose mail ballot kit requests have been approved will be available for viewing by candidates and their official agents.
REQUESTING A MAIL BALLOT PACKAGE:
In accordance with the deadlines stated above, you must submit a completed Application for Mail Ballot to the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Chief Election Officer by mail, in person (5797 Cowrie Street, 2nd floor, Sechelt, BC V0N 3A0) or by email to elections@sechelt.ca. The application form will be available on the District website starting September 8, 2026.
WHEN WILL I GET MY MAIL BALLOT PACKAGE?
The District will send out mail ballot packages commencing on or about September 30, 2026.
HOW DO I COMPLETE MY MAIL BALLOT PACKAGE?
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. Mail ballots will be run through the automated voting machines shortly after the close of voting on October 17, 2026 with the Special Voting ballots. Mail Ballots received after 8 pm on October 17, 2026, will not be counted.