2026 General Local Elections

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 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 PeriodSaturday, January 1, 2026
Start of Nomination PeriodTuesday, September 1, 2026, at 9 a.m.
End of Nomination PeriodFriday, September 11, 2026, at 4 p.m.
Declaration of CandidatesFriday, September 11, 2026
Period to challenge candidate nominations endsTuesday, September 15, 2026, at 4 p.m.
Mail Ballot Voting applications availableFall 2026
End of Election PeriodFriday, September 18, 2026
Start of Campaign PeriodSaturday, September 19, 2026
Advance Voting OpportunityWednesday, October 7, 2026
Second Advance Voting OpportunityWednesday, October 14, 2026
End of Campaign PeriodSaturday, October 17, 2026
General Voting DaySaturday, October 17, 2026
Last Day for Mail Ballot Voting Package to be Received by CEOSaturday, October 17, 2026, at 8 p.m.
Determination of Official Election ResultsWednesday, October 21, 2026
Financing Disclosure Statement Filing DeadlineFriday, January 15, 2027

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