• General Local Elections 101 - This brochure answers a few of the basic questions about local government elections in British Columbia.
• Voter's Guide to Local Elections in B.C. - This guide answers a few of the basic questions about local government elections in British Columbia.
• Voter's Guide for Electors Living on Reserve - This guide answers a few of the basic questions about local government elections in British Columbia for Indigenous and non-Indigenous electors living on Reserve.
• Thinking About Running for Local Office? - This brochure is to help prospective candidates answer questions they may have before deciding to run for local government office (municipality or regional district).
• What Every Candidate Needs to Know - This brochure provides candidates with basic information about general local election rules and answers questions about running for local office in British Columbia.
• Candidate's Guide to Local Elections in B.C.
• Supporting a Candidate for Local Elections in B.C. - This brochure answers questions about how you can support candidates in local government elections in British Columbia.
• Scrutineer's Guide to General Local Elections in B.C. - This brochure answers questions and provides best practices about scrutineers and their role in general local elections in British Columbia.
• Foundational Principles of Responsible Conduct - These principles are intended to guide both the conduct of individual elected officials and the collective behaviour of the local government council or board.
• Election and Referendum Signs on Highway Rights-of-Way - Learn about the rules and requirements for placing election and referendum signs on provincial highway rights-of-way in British Columbia.
• The Role of Local Elected Officials - Learn about the responsibilities, expectations, and leadership role of local elected officials in British Columbia's local governments.
• For more information on general local elections, visit the Province of British Columbia Website.

• Videos: Being an Effective Elected Official (2022) - These videos from 2022 are intended to help potential candidates better understand what is involved in serving as an elected leader, including the skills needed to work with fellow elected officials, Indigenous partners, and the community at large. ​
• Video: The Importance of Running for Elected Office (2022) - Discover why serving in local elected office can make a meaningful difference in your community.
• Video: Characteristics of Effective Locally Elected Officials (2018) - Learn about the qualities and skills that help locally elected officials effectively represent their communities and make informed decisions.
• Video: What is Local Government (2018) - Learn how local government works in British Columbia, including its role, responsibilities, and impact on local communities.
• Video: Testing your Readiness for Local Office (2018) - Assess whether running for local office is right for you by exploring the commitments, responsibilities, and expectations of elected officials.
• Video: Local Government Decision Making (2018) - Learn how local government decisions are made, including the role of elected officials, public input, and collective decision-making processes.
• Video: Roles and Responsibilities of Locally Elected Officials (2018) - Learn about the key responsibilities of locally elected officials and their role in representing their communities, making decisions, and providing local leadership.

• General Local Election Bylaw No. 1772 (Consolidated up to .01)
• Map of Regional District of Nanaimo Electoral Areas

• Elections BC Handbook for Local Candidates - This handbook is designed as a day-to-day resource to help local candidates understand their campaign responsibilities under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (LECFA) and associated regulations.
• Elections BC Guide to Campaign Financing for Local Candidates and Financial Agents in B.C. - This guide has been developed to assist local candidates and their financial agents to understand their responsibilities and legal obligations under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (LECFA).
• Elections BC Guide to Campaign Financing for Elector Organizations and Financial Agents in B.C. - This guide has been developed to assist elector organizations and their financial agents to understand their responsibilities and legal obligations under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (LECFA).
• Elections BC Guide to Elector Organization Registration and Deregistration - This guide provides an overview of the registration and deregistration requirements for local elector organizations under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (LECFA).
• Elections BC Elector Organization Annual Financial Report Completion Guide - This guide has been developed to assist registered elector organizations complete the annual financial reports as required by the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.
• Elections BC Guide for Local Elections Third Party Sponsors in B.C. - This guide is designed to help third party sponsors in local elections understand their responsibilities and legal obligations under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (LECFA).
• Local Elections FAQs - Find answers to common questions about local elections in British Columbia, including candidate eligibility, voting, campaign rules, and election administration.
• For more information on general local elections, visit the Elections BC Website

Election Signage 

Candidates, elector organizations and election advertising sponsors are responsible for ensuring that election signs and advertising comply with all applicable federal, provincial and local government legislation, bylaws and policies. 

For general guidance, please refer to the RDN’s Elections and Assent Vote Signs and Advertising document, www.gov.bc.ca/electionsigns and RDN Sign Bylaw No. 993.

Placement and Timing 

The Regional District of Nanaimo regulates the placement of signs in Electoral Areas, but does not regulate when election signs may be posted. Election signs and related support structures placed on behalf of a candidate must be located entirely on private property and not on property owned by the Regional District of Nanaimo or the Province.

Signs on Provincial Highway Rights-of-Way 

The Ministry of Transportation and Transit regulates election and referendum signs placed on provincial highway rights-of-way. 

For the 2026 General Local Election, election signs on eligible provincial highway rights-of-way may only be installed during the campaign period, which begins September 19, 2026 and ends October 17, 2026. The Ministry’s current policy states that signs may be placed only during the campaign period and must be removed on the day following the end of the electoral event. 

The Ministry conditionally permits election and referendum signs on some highway rights-of-way, subject to requirements regarding sign ownership, placement, size, safety, timing and removal. Signs that do not comply with Ministry requirements may be removed by the Ministry. For current requirements, please refer to:

• Election and Referendum Signs on Highway Rights-of-Way
• Technical Circular T01-25: Election and Referendum Signs and Posters Policy

Election Advertising 

Elections BC oversees compliance with campaign financing and election advertising rules under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act and the Local Elections Campaign Financing Regulation. 

For the 2026 General Local Election, Elections BC has advised that election advertising may include any public communication that directly or indirectly promotes or opposes a candidate or elector organization during the pre-campaign period or campaign period. 

• Pre-campaign period: July 20 to September 18, 2026 
• Campaign period: September 19 to October 17, 2026

During the campaign period, election advertising also includes public communications that take a position on an issue associated with a candidate or elector organization. 

Most election advertising must include an authorization statement. Elections BC has advised that authorization statements must include: 

• the name of the financial agent; 
• either a B.C. phone number, email address or mailing address for the financial agent; and 
• an indication that the advertising was authorized.

Online advertising, such as a paid social media post, does not need to include an authorization statement if the advertisement includes a direct link to a webpage that contains the authorization statement. 

Candidates, elector organizations and election advertising sponsors are responsible for ensuring that their advertising complies with Elections BC requirements. 

For more information, please visit Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (gov.bc.ca) and refer to Elections BC’s election advertising resources, including the Election Advertising Quick Reference Sheet.

Signs Near Voting Places 

Election advertising and campaign materials are restricted at voting places while voting proceedings are being conducted. 

Section 163(4) of the Local Government Act restricts certain campaign activities at or within 100 metres of a building, structure or other place where voting proceedings are being conducted at that time, unless authorized by the Chief Election Officer. This includes posting, displaying or distributing election advertising or materials that identify a candidate or elector organization. 

Candidates are responsible for ensuring that signs and campaign materials near voting places comply with legislative requirements. 

Utility Poles and Other Infrastructure 

BC Hydro and telecommunications providers prohibit signs, posters and notices from being attached to utility poles and related infrastructure. Attaching signs to utility poles creates safety hazards for utility workers who climb poles to perform maintenance and repairs, and signs may be removed by the utility owner. 

Candidates should not attach election signs to utility poles or other infrastructure.