2026 General Local Election

Applying for a Mail Ballot Package:

Mail ballot packages can be requested from September 14, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. through to October 15, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.

Mail Ballot Application Form

Mail ballot packages will not be ready for mail-out or pick-up until the week of September 28, 2026.

Picking up your Mail Ballot Package:

We recommend that you pick up your mail ballot package in person and return it directly to the District of Hope Municipal Hall. This helps ensure your ballot is received on time. It is the voter's responsibility to ensure the mail ballot is received by 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Anyone picking up a package for someone else, including spouses picking up on behalf of one another, must have prior authorization from the intended recipient. If authorization has not been provided, the package will not be released.

If you are picking up a mail ballot package for another person, you must:

• Provide written authorization from the elector; and,
• Provide two pieces of identification, including one with a photo.

Returning your Completed Mail Ballot Package:

Completed mail ballot packages may be returned:

• In person at the District of Hope Municipal Hall at 325 Wallace Street, Hope, BC, during regular business hours; or
• By mailing the return envelope to the address shown on the envelope. 

To vote in a District of Hope local government election, you must be registered as either a resident elector or a non-resident property elector and meet the eligibility requirements established by the Local Government Act.

Resident Electors

To register as a resident elector, you must:

• be 18 years of age or older on general voting day (October 17, 2026);
• be a Canadian citizen;
• be a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting);
• be a resident of the District of Hope on the day of registration (at time of voting); and
• not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law

Resident electors may own or rent the property where they reside within the District.

Non-Resident Property Electors

To register as a non-resident property elector, you must:

• be 18 years of age or older on general voting day (October 17, 2026);
• be a Canadian citizen;
• be a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting);
• be a registered owner of real property in the District of Hope for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting);
• not be entitled to register as a resident elector; and
• not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law.

In addition, for non-resident property electors:

• The only persons who are registered owners of the property, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, are individuals who are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust.
• If more than one person is registered owner of the property, only one of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majority of the owners, register as a non-resident property elector.
  

The District of Hope offers same-day voter registration for local government elections.

To register, resident electors must produce 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature). Picture identification is not necessary. The identification must prove both residency and identity.

To register, non-resident property electors must produce 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature) to prove identity, proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property, and, if there is more than one owner of the property, written consent from the other property owners.

Electors are required to provide identification when registering and voting in a local government election.

To register as an elector, you must present two pieces of identification, at least one of which includes your signature. Identification must establish both your identity and place of residence. If your identification does not include a residential address, you may complete a Declaration of Residency at the voting place.

Examples of acceptable identification include:

• BC Driver’s License
• BC Identification Card
• Photo BC Services Card
• Non-photo BC Services Card
• Car insurance papers
• BC Care Card
• Social Insurance Number
• Citizenship Card issued by Government of Canada
• Property Tax Notice
• Credit card or debit card
• Utility bill such as coaxial cable services, electricity, gas, telephone services, water,
• Indian Status Card (a document, issued by the government of Canada, that certifies that the applicant is registered as an Indian under the Indian Act of Canada),
• Citizenship or membership card issued by a first nation,
• Citizenship card issued by Métis Nation British Columbia

At the discretion of the Chief Election Officer, the following forms of identification may be accepted:

• Valid current passport
• Birth certificate
• Firearms Licence
• Nexus Card

At the discretion of the Chief Election Officer, other forms of identification that establish an elector's identity and residency in accordance with applicable legislation may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. 

The District of Hope uses Automated Voting Machines to assist with ballot tabulation during local government elections. This technology helps provide a voting process that is efficient, accurate, and easy to use while maintaining a paper record of every ballot cast.

Automated Voting Machines are used to count votes for Mayor, Council, School District Trustees, and any assent voting questions that may appear on the ballot. Electors mark a paper ballot by filling in the oval beside their selected candidate or response and then insert the completed ballot into the voting machine for scanning and tabulation.

The voting machines are designed to help identify common ballot issues before a ballot is cast. For example, the machine may notify an elector if:

• Too many selections have been made for a particular office;

• No voting selections have been marked; or

• The elector has the option to accept the ballot as marked.

If a ballot contains an error, electors may have the opportunity to correct and recast their ballot. All paper ballots are securely retained in accordance with provincial legislation and serve as the official record of the election.

How It Works

1. Mark your ballot using the pen provided.

2. Fill in the oval beside your preferred candidate(s) or voting choice(s).

3. Insert the ballot into the voting machine.

4. The machine scans and records your ballot.

5. If an issue is detected, you will be notified and provided with available options.

Serving on Council is an opportunity to help shape the future of the District of Hope and represent the interests of the community. Residents interested in running for local office are encouraged to learn about the responsibilities of elected officials, candidate requirements, and campaign financing rules before submitting nomination papers. More information can be found under the "Election Legislation & Resources" tab. 

Candidate Qualifications

To be nominated, elected, and hold office as a member of Council, a person must:

• be a Canadian citizen;
• be 18 years of age or older on general voting day (October 17, 2026);
• be a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed; and
• not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia or being nominated for, being elected to or holding the office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

Additional information regarding candidate nominations, election timelines, and required forms will be made available in advance of each local government election.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to review the resources provided by the Province of British Columbia and Elections BC to better understand the nomination process, campaign financing requirements, and responsibilities of elected office.

The Province of British Columbia and Elections BC provide a variety of resources to help voters, candidates, elector organizations, and third-party advertisers understand the local election process.

Provincial Resources

The Province of British Columbia offers information and guidance on:

• Running for Local Office

• Being an Effective Elected Official

• Thinking of running for local office?

• Local Elections in B.C.: What Every Candidate Needs to Know

• Candidate's Guide to Local Government Elections in B.C.

• Guide to Supporting a Candidate for Local Government Elections in B.C.

• Voter's Guide to Local Elections in B.C.

• Voter's Guide for Electors Living on Reserve

Elections BC Resources

Elections BC administers campaign financing and election advertising requirements for local elections and provides information for:

• Candidates

• Campaign Organizers

• Elector Organizations

• Third-Party Sponsors

• Financial Disclosure Requirements

• Campaign Financing Rules

• Guides and Educational Resources

More information and guides can be found on the ElectionsBC website.

Election Legislation

Local government elections in British Columbia are governed by provincial legislation, including:

• Community Charter

• Local Government Act

• Local Elections Campaign Financing Act

• School Act

• Offence Act

Residents, candidates, and campaign participants are encouraged to review the applicable legislation and available resources to better understand their rights, responsibilities, and obligations during the election process.

For questions regarding local government elections, voter eligibility, voter registration, mail ballot voting, candidate nominations, or other election-related matters, please contact the Chief Election Officer.

Branden Morgan
Deputy Director of Corporate Services / Chief Election Officer

Phone: 604-869-5671
Fax: 604-869-2275
Email: bmorgan@hope.ca

Donna Bellingham
Director of Corporate Services / Deputy Chief Election Officer

Phone: 604-869-5671
Fax: 604-869-2275
Email: dbellingham@hope.ca 

Election-specific notices, key dates, nomination information, and voting opportunities will be published as they become available in accordance with applicable legislation.

For questions regarding advertising rules, campaign financing rules, registration of elector organizations, and registration of third party advertising sponsors, please contact Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683 or electoral.finance@elections.bc.ca.