General local elections in British Columbia are held every four years on the third Saturday in October, in accordance with s. 52 of the Local Government Act.
The next General Local Election will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026. This is your opportunity to help shape the future of our community by voting for:
- One (1) Mayor,
- Six (6) Councillors, and
- Seven (7) School Trustees.
View the current Council.
Key dates - 2026 General Local Election
| Date | Action or Deadline |
|---|---|
| January 1, 2026 | Start of Election Period |
| July 20, 2026 | Start of Pre-Campaign Period |
| September 1, 2026 | Start of Nomination Period |
| September 11, 2026 | End of Nomination Period |
| September 11, 2026, after 4:00pm | Declaration of Candidates |
| September 18, 2026, by 4:00pm | Candidate Nomination Withdrawal Deadline |
| September 18, 2026 | End of Pre-Campaign Period |
| September 18, 2026 | End of Election Period (12:00 Midnight) |
| September 19, 2026 | Start of Campaign Period (12:01 a.m.) |
| September 21, 2026, at 4:00pm | Declaration of election by voting or acclamation |
| October 7, 2026 | Required Advance Voting Opportunity |
| October 17, 2026 | General Voting Day |
| October 17, 2026 | End of Campaign Period |
| October 21, 2026 | Last Day for Declaration of Official Election Results by Voting |
| November 20, 2026 | Close of Public Inspection of Nomination Documents & Voting Day Materials |
| November 20, 2026 | End of Period for Application to the Supreme Court to Invalidate Election* |
| December 4, 2026 | Deadline to Make Oath of Office |
| January 15, 2027 | End of Period to File Campaign Financing Disclosure Statement with Elections BC |
Voter eligibility
To vote in a North Cowichan election, you must be:
- 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day
- A Canadian citizen
- A resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months before registering
- A resident of North Cowichan on the day of registration
- Not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting.
If you own property in North Cowichan but live elsewhere in B.C., you may be eligible to vote as a non-resident property elector, provided you meet specific ownership and residency requirements.
Register to vote
North Cowichan uses the provincial voters list maintained by Elections BC. To register or update your information:
- Visit Register to Vote | Elections BC
- Call 1-800-661-8683
- Or register in person at a voting location on election day with two pieces of ID (one must have your signature)
You must register by 4:00pm on August 18, 2026 to ensure your name is included in the final register of electors. If you miss registering in advance of the August 18 deadline, and you meet all of the elector requirements noted above, you can still register at the time of voting by providing 2 pieces of acceptable identification.
Youth aged 16 or 17 can also register for the List of Future Voters through Elections BC.
Running for office
Thinking about running in the next general election? Information about candidacy for the 2026 General Local Election will be available in spring 2026.
In the meantime, visit Elections BC for general information on:
- Candidate eligibility
- Nomination packages
- Campaign financing rules
Visit Past Elections to learn about previous elections and by-elections in North Cowichan, including voter turnout, candidate results, and official declarations.