Elections

Local government elections in British Columbia are held every four years.

The next election will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026 with advance voting opportunities on October 7 and 14.

Within the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD), voters in each Electoral Area choose one Director to serve on the SCRD Board. Ballots for School Trustees (Trustee Electoral Areas 1 – Upper and 3 – Lower) and for Local Trustees for the Gambier Island Local Trust Area are made available at SCRD voting places where applicable.

For more information about the upcoming General Local Election contact the SCRD’s Chief Election Officer at elections@scrd.ca

The SCRD is hiring Election Officials. Information on how to apply is below.

Interested in working the election?

The SCRD is accepting applications to work as an election official in the upcoming October 2026 General Local Election. This is a unique, short-term opportunity to work up to three days, including two advance voting days and General Election Day.

Training is mandatory and will be provided in advance. Placement may be at any of the voting locations through the Regional District, including: Madeira Park, Garden Bay, Halfmoon Bay, Roberts Creek, Elphinstone, West Howe Sound, Gambier Island, and Keats Island.

Applicants should be knowledgeable about or have an interest in learning about election procedures, have excellent communication skills, and work well in a team environment.

Applicants must:

  • Commit to working on General Voting Day (Saturday October 17, 2026); you may also express interest in one or more Advance Voting Days (Wednesday October 7, and Wednesday October 14)
  • Commit to attending a mandatory training session for two hours on either September 28thor 29th, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at the SCRD Main Office located at 1975 Field Road, Sechelt.
  • Commit to working a long day – voting hours are from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., however election officials are required to be available for set up prior to 8:00 a.m., as well as for closing down the voting station and assisting with ballot counting (please note: there are shorter hours for both Gambier and Keats Islands polling stations)

Compensation

Election Official Positions and Pay Rates:

All hourly rates are subject to applicable overtime rates per the Employment Standards Act

Election officials are required to make a solemn declaration that they will faithfully and impartially fulfill their duties and will be appointed to one of three positions at the discretion of the Chief Election Officer.

Information for Voters

If eligible, you may vote in a local election in the Sunshine Coast Regional District (SCRD) or the Gambier Island Local Trust Area as either a resident elector or as a non-resident property elector – someone who owns property in the jurisdiction but lives somewhere else in BC. This guide answers a few of the basic questions about local government elections in British Columbia.

The Sunshine Coast Regional District uses the Provincial Voters’ List as its List of Resident Electors. If you have previously registered as a resident elector or non-resident property elector, you will continue to be registered as an elector.

If you are not on the List of Electors, but qualify to vote, you may register on voting day at your designated voting place.To register at the voting place, you must provide election staff with two pieces of identification (ID). The ID must prove who you are and where you live.

At least one piece must have your signature on it. If your ID does not show your residential address, you can make a “solemn declaration” as to your residency. Acceptable forms of voter identification are set out in the Local Government Elections Regulation as follows:

  • British Columbia Driver’s Licence
  • BC Identification Card
  • BC Services Card (photo or non-photo)
  • A document issued by the Government of Canada that certifies registration as an Indian under the federal Indian Act
  • Citizenship or membership card from a First Nation
  • A citizenship card issued by Métis Nation British Columbia
  • ICBC Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence
  • BC CareCard or BC Gold CareCard
  • Government assistance form (Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security Request for Continued Assistance Form SDES8)
  • Social Insurance Number (SIN) card or confirmation of SIN letter from the Government of Canada
  • A Citizenship Card issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada
  • Real property tax notice
  • Utility bill issued for the supply of electricity, natural gas, water, telephone, or cable services
  • Credit or debit card

Non-resident property owners may register at the time of voting; however advance registration is encouraged. You may apply to register as a Non-Resident Property Elector prior to August 25, 2026 at the Sunshine Coast Regional District Office, located at 1975 Field Road, Sechelt, during regular office hours, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays.

You will be asked to provide two pieces of identification and proof that you are the registered owner of the property.

If the property is owned jointly with other individuals, you must also demonstrate – in writing – that you have the consent of the majority of all the owners to vote as the non-resident property elector. An application to register as a non-resident property elector must be completed.

Voting place locations will be advertised in local newspapers and posted here, once an election has been declared by the Chief Election Officer. Any inconsistency with the Local Government Act is unintentional and for accuracy, reference should be made to that Act.

Official election notices will be published in the Coast Reporter newspaper.

Information for Candidates

    • Who is eligible to hold office (section 81(1) of the LGA):
      • a person who is 18 years of age or older on or by general voting day
      • a Canadian citizen
      • a resident of British Columbia for at least six months immediately prior to general voting day
      • a person who is not disqualified under any enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia, or from being nominated, elected to or holding office, or otherwise disqualified by law.
    • Key Dates and Guides
    • Candidate Nomination Process – Start of period for Notice of Nominations commences August 4, 2026. More information coming soon.

Elections BC oversees campaign financing, election advertising and third party sponsor rules.

Local governments have responsibility for administering voting and accepting candidate nomination forms.

For answers to questions about the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (i.e. election advertising, third party sponsors and campaign financing rules), please contact Elections BC toll free at 1-800-661-8683; or by email at electoral.finance@elections.bc.ca.

 

Previous Election Results

Electoral Area A – Egmont / Pender Harbour – Leonard Lee (elected by acclamation)

Electoral Area B – Halfmoon Bay – Justine Gabias (Results here)

Electoral Area D – Roberts Creek – Kelly Backs (elected by acclamation)

Electoral Area E – Elphinstone – Donna McMahon (elected by acclamation)

Electoral Area F – West Howe Sound – Kate-Louise Stamford (elected by acclamation)

Previous election results and statistics can be found at www.elections.bc.ca