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Elections BC – 2026 General Local Elections
Find key dates, voting options, and information on voter eligibility for the upcoming election. -
Local Elections FAQs
Answers to common questions about registration, identification, voting by mail, and more.
Elections
General local elections are held every four years across British Columbia. In Sooke, eligible voters elect:
- One (1) Mayor
- Six (6) Councillors
- Three (3) School Trustees for School District 62 Sooke (Milnes Landing Zone)
The next general local election will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Download Nomination Packages for Mayor and Council candidates for 2026 here.
In order to be nominated, candidates must be eligible to be elected under the Local Government Act. This means they must be an individual who is, or will be on general voting day, 18 years or older; they must be a Canadian citizen; they must have been a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months a determined in accordance with section 67 of the Act; and they must not be disqualified from voting in an election in British Columbia, or from being nominated for, being elected to or holdinf the office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.
Individuals who meet these criteria may run. Candidates are not required to be an elector of Sooke in order to run for office in Sooke, as long as they are eligible under the Act.
Elections are governed by the Local Government Act, Community Charter, and Local Elections Campaign Financing Act. The District of Sooke administers the local election process and appoints a Chief Election Officer to ensure it is fair, transparent, and accessible.
Through general local elections, residents and non-resident property electors choose the representatives who will make decisions and govern on their behalf for the next four-year term.
General local elections are a shared responsibility between local governments and Elections BC.
Learn more about how municipal elections work through the resources below.
Voting Opportunities
Eligible voters will have several opportunities to vote in the 2026 General Local Election.
| Voting opportunity | Date | Location | Voting hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advance voting | Wednesday, October 7, 2026 | Council Chamber, Municipal Hall | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Advance voting | Saturday, October 10, 2026 | Edward Milne Community School | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Advance voting | Wednesday, October 14, 2026 | Council Chamber, Municipal Hall | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| General Voting Day | Saturday, October 17, 2026 | Edward Milne Community School | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. |
| Special voting opportunity, for Ayre Manor Residents Only | Tuesday, October 13, 2026 | Ayre Manor (residents only) | 12:30 p.m to 2:30 p.m. |
Curbside voting will be available for voters who are unable to enter the voting place. If you require curbside voting, please notify an election official when you arrive or have someone accompany you to the entrance to request assistance.
Learn More About Local Elections
Elections in British Columbia are a shared responsibility between local governments and Elections BC. The following resources provide detailed information for voters, candidates, and election officials.
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Local Government Elections – Province of BC
Learn about nomination rules, candidate eligibility, and the role of local governments in elections. -
Elections BC – Campaign Financing and Advertising
Understand campaign financing requirements and third-party advertising rules under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.
Frequently Asked Questions – District of Sooke Elections
What is the District of Sooke’s role in local elections?
The District of Sooke is responsible for administering the local election process in accordance with provincial legislation. This includes appointing a Chief Election Officer, managing voting opportunities, receiving nomination papers, and declaring official results.
The District does not regulate or monitor candidate campaigns, advertisements, or election spending. These matters fall under the jurisdiction of Elections BC.
What are key dates for the 2026 election?
Most dates for the General Election are set in Provincial law.
Under the Local Government Act, General Voting day will be on October 17, 2026.
Under the same Act, Nominations must open at 9am on September 1st, 2026, and close at 4pm on September 11th, 2026.
Advance Voting is anticipated to take place on Wednesday October 14th, Saturday October 10th, and Wednesday October 7th.
Candidate nomination packages will be available from the District of Sooke during the official nomination period (usually in late summer before the election).
The package includes eligibility information, required forms, and submission instructions.
Completed nomination documents must be submitted to the Chief Election Officer within the official nomination window (9am on September 1 to 4pm on September 11)
When will nomination packages be available?
The District anticipates that nomination packages will be available starting in August 2026. Nominations cannot be accepted by the District until 9am on September 1st, 2026.
Campaign financing is regulated by Elections BC. If you are opening a campaign bank account and they are requesting nomination papers, please see the Elections BC bank account reference sheet, and their letter to financial institutions.
How can I learn about the candidates?
During the official nomination period, the District of Sooke will post a list of all candidates who have submitted nomination papers and been declared for office.
- Candidate names, declared positions, and contact information (if provided by the candidate) will be published on this page and in local notices.
- The District cannot endorse or promote individual candidates and will not link to campaign websites or social media accounts.
Residents are encouraged to attend community-hosted all-candidates meetings or review information shared directly by the candidates.
Will there be an all-candidates meeting?
All-candidates meetings are not organized by the District. They are typically hosted by community groups such as the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce, Sooke Multi-Belief Initiative, or other local organizations.
Event details will be shared publicly by the hosting groups through their own communication channels (for example, their websites, social media, or local news).
How will I know when and where to vote?
All voting opportunities — including advance voting days, mail-ballot options, and general voting day locations — will be published on the District’s website and in local advertising once they are confirmed by the Chief Election Officer.
Can I vote if I’m a property owner but don’t live in Sooke?
Yes. Non-resident property electors may be eligible to vote if they meet the criteria outlined in the Local Government Act.
Only one registered owner of the property may vote, and consent from the majority of other owners is required.
Application details will be available once the 2026 election period begins.
What identification do I need to vote?
Voters are asked to bring two pieces of identification that prove both identity and residency.
At least one piece must include a signature. Examples include a BC Driver’s Licence, BCID, utility bill, or property tax notice.
When are election results available?
Preliminary results will be announced after polls close on general voting day and posted to the District’s website.
Official results will be declared by the Chief Election Officer after all ballots are verified — typically within a few days.
Who do I contact for more information?
Chief Election Officer
District of Sooke
2205 Otter Point Road, Sooke, BC V9Z 1J2
Email: elections@sooke.ca
Phone: 250-642-1634
Sooke candidates' information session
The District of Sooke hosted a candidate information session on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, for individuals interested in running in the 2026 General Local Election.
The session covered the role of elected officials, the election process, candidate responsibilities, nomination requirements, key dates, the respective roles of Council and staff, and practical considerations for prospective candidates.
Councillor Sara Duncan from the Town of Sidney also shared reflections on her experience serving as an elected official.
A recording of the session is now available on the District's YouTube channel .
How many nominators do I need?
Section 86 of the Local Government Act sets the default as two qualified nominators. "Qualified nominator" means someone who is an elector of the District of Sooke. The District of Sooke has not varied the requirement from the Act, therefore only two qualified nominees are required.
An individual nominator may nominate as many candidates as they are persons to be elected. This means that a single qualified nominator may nominate one candidate for Mayor, and up to six candidates for Council.
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