2026 General Local Elections

The 2026 General Local Elections will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Every four years the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District (ACRD) conducts general local elections to elect a Director to represent each of our six Electoral Areas, "A" (Bamfield), "B" (Beaufort), "C" (Long Beach), "D" (Sproat Lake), "E" (Beaver Creek), "F" (Cherry Creek).

The ACRD also conducts elections on behalf of School District 70 Pacific Rim, for six Trustees representing: the City of Port Alberni, Electoral Areas "A" (Bamfield), "B" (Beaufort), "D" (Sproat Lake), "E" (Beaver Creek) and "F" (Cherry Creek), and one Trustee representing the West Coast, which includes the District of Tofino, District of Ucluelet, and Electoral Area "C" (Long Beach).

Declaration of Candidates

Declaration of Candidates for ACRD Board of Directors and School District 70 (Pacific Rim) Board of Education Trustees:

Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District and School District 70 (Pacific Rim) Declaration of Candidates

For a list of submitted nomination papers, go to:

Draw by Lot

Draw by Lot Determination Draw

Notice of Election by Voting/Acclamation

Notice of Election - Alberni Valley & Bamfield - Notice No-10-1 Notice of Election AV & Bamfield 2026

Notice of Election by Voting

Declaration of Election by Voting - ACRD Electoral Areas

Declaration of Election by Voting - School District 70 (Pacific Rim)

Notice of Election by Acclamation

Declaration of Election by Acclamation - ACRD Electoral Areas

Declaration of Election by Acclamation - School District 70 (Pacific Rim)

For more information, please review the Candidate Information Sessions held this year.

Key Election Dates

Date	Action or Deadline
August 12	5 pm - Candidate Information Session - To be held at George Fraser Community Room, Ucluelet Community Centre
August 14	4 pm - Nomination Packages available for pick-up
August 17	5 pm - Candidate Information Session - To be held at Tofino Community Hall
August 18	6 pm - Candidate Information Session - To be held at City of Port Alberni City Hall Council Chambers
September 1	9 am - Nomination Period Begins
September 11	4 pm - Nomination period ends
September 11	4 pm - Declaration of Candidates
September 15	4 pm - Nomination Challenge Deadline
September 18	4 pm - Deadline for withdrawal of candidates and withdrawal of elector organization endorsement
September 21	4 pm - Declaration of Election by Voting or Acclamation
September 21	Mail ballot requests begins
October 7	8 am - 8 pm - Advance Voting Day
October 14	8 am - 8 pm - Advance Voting Day
October 17	8 am - 8 pm - Election Day
October 17	After 8 pm - Preliminary Election Results
October 21	Declaration of Official Election Results
October 26	Judicial Recount Application Deadline
December 4	Oath or Affirmation of Office Deadline
January 15	Disclosure Statements Filing Deadline
February 16	Disclosure Statements Late Filing Deadline

On this page you will find information about candidate eligibility, nominations, local elections legislation, and additional video resources. If you are looking for general information regarding rules around campaigning, election financing, etc. please visit the BC Elections website.

Information for Candidates

Election Signs Near Voting Places at the Time of Voting

Under Section 163(4) of the Local Government Act, election signs are not permitted to be located within 100 metres of a voting place during the time that vote proceedings are occurring. This includes signage on private property.

Election signs, or any other promotional material, found within 100 metres of a voting place on the days and during the times of all voting opportunities will be immediately removed without notice by the ACRD.

For a detailed map of the 100 m zone for each voting place, please refer to this MAP.

Information for Voters

There are two categories of voters who qualify to vote in local government elections in B.C., Resident Electors and Non-Resident Electors.

A Resident Elector qualifies to vote by meeting the following criteria:

You are a Canadian citizen;
You are 18 years of age or older on or before voting day;
You have been a resident of BC for at least six (6) months prior to voting day;
You are a resident of the regional district or trustee electoral area; and
You are not disqualified by any enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law.

A Non-Resident Elector qualifies to vote by meeting the following criteria:

You are not a Resident Elector of the Electoral Area or Trustee Electoral Area;
You are a Canadian Citizen;
You are at least 18 years of age or older on or before voting day;
You have lived in BC for at least six (6) months prior to voting day;>
You have owned property in the Electoral Area or Trustee Electoral Area for at least thirty (30) days prior to voting day;
You have been designated by the other owner(s) of the property as a Non-Resident (Property) Elector for that property; A majority of owners must complete and sign a non-resident property elector form;>
You are not disqualified by any enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law.

Property registered in company/corporation name does not qualify under the Local Government Act to vote in this local government election.

Registration - Voting Day Only

There is no need to pre-register to vote, as the registration of all qualified electors will take place at the time of voting.

Identification

All electors are required to bring two (2) pieces of identification to the voting place. The identification must show the elector's identity and place of residence and at least one of the pieces of identification must show the elector's signature. Acceptable identification includes:

BC Drivers License
Social Insurance Card
BC Identification Card

BC Care Card or Gold Care Card

Property Tax Notice

ICBC Vehicle Insurance Registration Documents

Utility Bill

Citizenship Card

Certificate of Indian Status (issued by the Government of Canada)

Note: A combined BC Driver's License and BC Care Card are considered one piece of ID

VOTING PLACES AND LOCATIONS

Advanced Voting

Wednesday, October 7 & 14, 2026 - 8 am to 8 pm

Regional District Office, Boardroom
3008 Fifth Avenue, Port Alberni

Election Day

Saturday, October 17, 2026 - 8 am to 8 pm

Bamfield Fire Hall
352 Pachena Road, Bamfield
Sproat Lake Community Hall
9346 Bomber Base Road, Port Alberni
Beaver Creek Fire Hall
6038 Beaver Creek Road, Port Alberni
Cherry Creek Community Hall
3720 Moore Road, Port Alberni

Mail Ballot Voting

APPLYING FOR A MAIL BALLOT PACKAGE:

You must submit an application to vote by mail to the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District Office either by mail (3008 Fifth Ave., Port Alberni, BC, V9Y 2E3), fax (250-723-1327), or email (elections@acrd.bc.ca).

For more information on voting by mail, refer to the voting by mail information HERE.

To request a mail ballot, fill out the Application to Vote by Mail form.

The ACRD will send out mail ballot packages commencing on or about September 28, 2026. If your application is received after October 8 and time does not permit mailing, you should arrange to pick up a package from the ACRD Office. To be counted, your mail ballot must be received by the Chief Election Officer no later than 8 pm on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

If you have any questions on the 2026 Elections please contact Chief Election Officer Cynthia Dick at 250-720-2706 or Deputy Chief Election Officer Heather Zenner at 250-720-2731.

You can also email: elections@acrd.bc.ca.

It is the obligation of the person voting to ensure that the Chief Election Officer receives the mail ballot by the close of voting on general voting day.

Bylaws

Local Elections Legislation Resources

Resources

School District Trustee Specific Resources

Contact Information

Cynthia Dick, Chief Election Officer
250-720-2706

Heather Zenner, Deputy Chief Election Officer
250-720-2731

elections@acrd.bc.ca

Fax: 250-723-1327