2026 LOCAL GOVERNMENT ELECTION
The next municipal election is being held on Saturday, October 17, 2026 from 8:00am-8:00pm.
Citizens of the Village of Sayward will vote on the following:
One (1) candidate for the position of Mayor
Four (4) candidates for the position of Councillor
KEY ELECTION DATES
Nomination period opens: September 1, 2026 - September 11, 2026
Campaign period begins: September 19, 2026
Advanced Voting Day: October 7, 2026
General Voting Day: October 17, 2026
Information for Voters
Voter eligibility is governed by the Local Government Act.
There are two types of voters. To vote you must either be a Resident Elector or a Non-Resident Property Elector.
Resident Electors are:
- 18 years of age or older on general voting day
- A Canadian citizen
- A Resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months before the day they register to vote
- A Resident of the Village of Sayward
- Not disqualified from voting by any statute or law.
Non-Resident Property Electors are:
- Not eligible to register as a resident elector in the Village of Sayward
- 18 years of age or older on general voting day
- A Canadian citizen
- A Resident of British Columbia for at least six months before the day they register to vote
- Property owner in the Village of Sayward for at least 30 days immediately before the day they register to vote
- Not disqualified from voting by any statute or law
- Registered in relation to one parcel of property, even if the individual owns more than one parcel
- If more than one person owns the property, only one owner may vote.
- Proof of ownership includes but is not limited to:
- Certificate of title
- Property tax notice
- Property assessment notice
Property owned in whole or in part by a corporation does not qualify under the non-resident property elector provisions.
The Village of Sayward uses same day voter registration which means voters will need to register at the time of voting.
To register at time of voting a person must provide at least 2 pieces of identification, with at least 1 which includes the person’s signature. Resident Elector's ID should prove residency within the Village of Sayward.
The following are valid identity documents for proving voter identity. At least one document presented to prove identity must include the applicant's signature. Please be prepared to present two of the identity documents noted below:
- BC Driver's Licence
- BC Identification Card
- Photo BC Services Card
- Certificate of Indian Status as issued by the Government of Canada
- Non-photo BC Services Card
- Student card issued by a post-secondary institution
- Owner's Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence issued by ICBC
- BC CareCard or BC Gold CareCard
- Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security Request for Continued Assistance Form SDES8
- Social Insurance Card
- Canadian Citizenship Card
- Village of Sayward Property Tax Notice
- Statement of Employment Insurance Benefits
- BC Government cheque
- Income Tax Assessment Notice
- Canadian Forces Identification
- Old Age Security Identification Card
- Canadian Passport
- Birth Certificate
- Credit card or debit card or statement
- Utility bill
Who can vote by mail?
The Village of Sayward allows voting by mail ballot as an option for any qualified elector who prefers to use this form of voting instead of voting in-person at at polling station.How do you register to vote by mail?
To ensure that you are receiving the correct registration package, you must indicate on your “Application to Vote By Mail” form whether you are registering as a Resident Elector or a Non-Resident Property Elector.Copies of documents required to establish your identity and place of residence in accordance with the Local Government Act are required to accompany the application.
Requesting a mail ballot package
To request a ballot and registration package please fill out the “Application to Vote By Mail” form below:Voters who believe that their ballot package may not be received in sufficient time by regular mail may arrange to have the mail ballot picked-up from the Village of Sayward Office. If a third party is picking up the mail ballot on an elector's behalf, the elector must provide written confirmation for that third party to act on their behalf.
Mail ballot packages will be sent out as soon as possible after the declaration of election.
Mail ballots including either a Resident Elector Registration or Non-Resident Elector Registration form and the required copies of identification and/or proof of property title must be received by the Chief election Officer prior to the close of voting on general voting day. Mail ballots may be delivered personally or by regular mail or courier. Mail ballots submitted by fax or email cannot be accepted. It is the responsibility of the voter to ensure that their mail ballot is received prior to the deadline. Mail ballots received after the deadline will not be counted and will remain in the sealed envelope.
Information for Candidates
Candidates must complete a nomination package. Nomination packages will be available starting Monday, August 10, 2026.
The minimum number of qualified nominators is two (2). All nomination papers will be available for public inspection.
Nominations will not be accepted before 9:00am Tuesday, September 1, 2026 or after 4:00pm Friday, September 11, 2026.To be eligible to be a candidate you must meet all of the following criteria:
- 18 years of age or older on general voting day
- a Canadian citizen
- a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed; and
- not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia or from being nominated for, being elected to, or holding office.
There is no requirement for a candidate to be a resident or property owner in the municipality.
Link to Elections BC Candidate Information page and key dates https://elections.bc.ca/local-elections/2026-general-local-elections/
General Candidate Fact SheetOverview of BC General Local Elections 2022
Participants in B.C. General Local Elections 2022
Candidate Nominations in B.C. General Local Elections 2022
Campaign signage is only permitted from Tuesday, September 1, 2026 at 9:00am and shall be removed no later than seven (7) days following the date of the election (October 17, 2026).
Campaign signs are not permitted on village parks.
Complete information on election advertising can be found online at elections.bc.ca or by calling Elections BC toll free at 1-855-952-0280.
Other Election Info
Residents may find this legal perspective of the powers of the Mayor and Council worthy of a good read. It clarifies some interesting misconceptions on the powers of the Mayor’s office while also reinforcing the important role the Mayor plays in ensuring Council remains respectful and productive.
Legal Perspective on the Office of the Mayor
(From the BC Mayors Caucus 2013 – Written by Bill Buholzer – Young, Anderson Barristers and Solicitors)