2026 General Local Elections
Elections for Electoral Area Directors to represent the electoral areas within the Regional District of Nanaimo occur every four (4) years. The next General Local Election will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026, with advanced voting opportunities being held on Wednesday, October 7, and Wednesday, October 14, 2026.
The Regional District of Nanaimo is comprised of seven electoral areas and four municipal partners. The seven electoral areas include:
- Electoral Area F (encompasses Coombs, Hilliers, Errington, Whiskey Creek, and Meadowood)
- Electoral Area G (encompasses Englishman River, San Pareil, French Creek, Little Qualicum, and Dashwood)
- Electoral Area H (encompasses Bowser, Qualicum Bay, and Deep Bay)
- Electoral Area A (encompasses Cedar, South Wellington, Yellowpoint, and Cassidy)
- Electoral Area B (encompasses Gabriola, DeCourcy, and Mudge Islands)
- Electoral Area C (encompasses Extension, Nanaimo Lakes, East Wellington, and Pleasant Valley)
- Electoral Area E (encompasses Nanoose Bay)
The four municipal partners include the City of Nanaimo, City of Parksville, District of Lantzville and the Town of Qualicum Beach.
As part of the General Local Election system in British Columbia, Electoral Area Directors may be elected by acclamation (in the case of a single qualified candidate) or by voting (where there is more than one qualified candidate). Each Municipal Director on the Board of Directors is appointed by their respective Council from amongst their elected members.
More information will be posted here as it becomes available.
2026 General Local Elections Important Dates
| Start of Election Period | Saturday, January 1, 2026 |
| Candidate Information Session | Wednesday, July 15, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Wednesday, August 12, 2026, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. |
| Start of Nomination Period | Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 9 a.m. |
| End of Nomination Period | Friday, September 11, 2026, at 4 p.m. |
| Declaration of Candidates | Friday, September 11, 2026 |
| Period to challenge candidate nominations ends | Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 4 p.m. |
| Mail Ballot Voting applications available | Fall 2026 - Date TBD |
| End of Election Period | Friday, September 18, 2026 |
| Start of Campaign Period | Saturday, September 19, 2026 |
| Advance Voting Opportunity | Wednesday, October 7, 2026 |
| Second Advance Voting Opportunity | Wednesday, October 14, 2026 |
| End of Campaign Period | Saturday, October 17, 2026 |
| General Voting Day | Saturday, October 17, 2026 |
| Last Day for Mail Ballot Voting Package to be Received by CEO | Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 8 p.m. |
| Determination of Official Election Results | Wednesday, October 21, 2026 |
| Financing Disclosure Statement Filing Deadline | Friday, January 15, 2027 |
Voter Information Election Notices
Contact Information
Phone: 250-390-4111, toll free 1-877-607-4111
Email: vote@rdn.bc.ca
- Jacquie Hill, Chief Election Officer
- Nelda Richardson, Deputy Chief Election Officer
- Dilbar Rupa, Deputy Chief Election Officer
- Christine Holt, Deputy Chief Election Officer
- Shanna Patrickson, Deputy Chief Election Officer