Local government elections in British Columbia are held every four years. This includes elections for mayors, councillors, regional district electoral area directors, school trustees, Islands Trust trustees, local community commissioners and park board commissioners.
The next general local elections will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
On election day, eligible voters in Courtenay will elect:
one mayor
six councillors
school district trustees for School District No. 71
To learn more about how local elections work in B.C., visit the general local elections page on the Province of B.C. website.
Candidate and election worker information
The nomination period for mayor, councillor and school trustee opens Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 9 a.m. and closes Friday, September 11, 2026, at 4 p.m.
Nomination packages for the 2026 general local election are now available.
Two nominators are required. Your candidacy can be challenged if your nominators are not eligible. Therefore, we recommend you have more than two nominators.
Can I submit my nomination forms remotely?
Yes and no. You do not need to appear in person to submit your nomination forms, but you must sign the form in person (a "wet" signature), in front of the Deputy/Chief Election Officer or a BC Commissioner for Taking Affidavits.
There are several ways to vote in the 2026 local government election. Choose the option that works best for you.
Wednesday, October 7, 2026 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton Ave
Wednesday, October 14, 2026 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton Ave
Saturday, October 17, 2026 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Queneesh Elementary School, 2345 Mission Rd
Florence Filberg Centre, 411 Anderton Ave
Voters may attend either location. All voters are welcome to vote early at advance voting opportunities. The City of Courtenay does not mail voter information cards.
All eligible electors may apply to vote by mail.
Electors must meet voter qualifications and submit a mail ballot application form.
Mail ballot applications will be available online by September 2026.
Mail ballot packages will be mailed or available for pickup at City Hall once ballots are available in late September 2026.
Mail ballots must be received by the Chief Election Officer no later than 8 p.m. on October 17, 2026, to be counted.
Services are available to support voters with accessibility needs:
All advance and general voting locations are wheelchair accessible.
All eligible voters may vote by mail ballot.
Assistance is available for voters unable to mark a ballot due to a physical disability or difficulty with reading or writing.
Voters may bring a friend to assist, or request assistance from an election official.
ASL interpretation will be available at the Florence Filberg Centre on general voting day.
Who can vote?
Resident electors
To vote as a resident elector, you must:
Be a Canadian citizen.
Be 18 years of age or older on general voting day (October 17, 2026).
Be a resident of the City of Courtenay on the day of registration.
Have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months before registration.
Not be disqualified from voting.
There is no corporate or business vote in local elections.
Non-resident property electors
To vote as a non-resident property elector, you must:
Be a Canadian citizen.
Be 18 years of age or older on general voting day.
Have owned real property in the City of Courtenay for at least 30 days immediately before registration.
Have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months immediately before registration.
Not be entitled to register as a resident elector.
Not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment.
If there is more than one registered owner of a property, only one owner may register to vote, designated in writing by the majority of owners. Businesses or corporations cannot vote.
Registering to vote
The City of Courtenay uses the most current provincial list of voters prepared by Elections BC.
Visit the Elections BC website to check eligibility, update voter information or register to vote.
Council appoints a Chief Election Officer to ensure the process is run in accordance with the Local Government Act Part 3 and the City of Courtenay Election Bylaw No. 3073.
