Updated on August 13, 2026

2026 General Local Elections

General local elections are held throughout British Columbia every four years. The next General Local Election will take place on Saturday, October 17, 2026, with advance voting opportunities on Wednesday, October 7, 2026 and Wednesday, October 14, 2026.

The Regional District of Nanaimo (RDN) conducts elections for Electoral Area Directors representing the following seven Electoral Areas:

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)

Voters in each area elect one Electoral Area Director to represent them. Eligible electors who live in or own property within an electoral area are eligible to participate in the general local elections and vote for their Electoral Area Director. 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.

Which election applies to me?

The offices and questions that appear on your ballot depend on where you live or own property.

If you live or own property in an RDN Electoral Area

You may vote for:

An Electoral Area Director
School District Trustee candidates (School District 68 or School District 69, depending on where you live)
- Voting opportunities in Electoral Areas A, B, C and E will include ballots for Trustees in School District 68. For more information about School District 68 Trustee Elections, please visit their website here.
- Voting opportunities in Electoral Areas E, F, G and H will include ballots for Trustees in School District 69. For more information about School District 69 Trustee Elections, please visit their website here.
Gabriola Island Local Trust Committee Trustees (Electoral Area B only)
- The RDN also conducts the elections for local trustees for Islands Trust on Gabriola Island. For more information about Islands Trust Elections, please visit their website here.
Any applicable assent voting (referendum) questions

If you live or own property in a municipality

Voters of the following four member municipalities participate in elections administered by their municipality:

Please visit your municipality's election webpage for information about candidates, voting opportunities and election administration.

More information will be posted here as it becomes available.