2026 General Local Elections

Nomination papers will be available for in-person pickup at City Hall during regular business hours (8:30 am to 4:45 pm) beginning on August 4, 2026. Packages will also be available by email for any candidates who wish to view or print their own documents for completion by the Chief Election Officer at election@kimberley.ca. 

The Nomination Period runs between Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 9:00 am and Friday, September 11, 2026, at 4:00 pm. During this period, nomination documents will be received by the Chief Election Officer or their designate. Although nomination documents can be submitted by fax or email, it is recommended that candidates schedule an appointment to submit them. Contact the Chief Election Officer at 250-427-9659 to book your appointment. 

Elections for the offices of Mayor, Councillor and School Trustee are for four-year terms. 

• The Province of British Columbia has released the  General Local Elections Education Materials. Materials include webpages, videos, guides and brochures.
• Watch Basics of Local Elections (video series).
• Watch Being an Effective Elected Official (video series).
• Watch Role of Elected Officials (video series).
• Potential candidates should familiarize themselves with campaign financing requirements. Information is available on the Elections BC Website.

You are qualified to be nominated, elected and to hold office as a member of local government if you meet the following criteria: you must:

• Be a Canadian Citizen
• Be 18 years of age or older on election day
• Be a resident of British Columbia for at least six months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed; and
• Have not been disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in BC or from being nominated for, being elected to, or holding office, or been otherwise disqualified by law.

You do not have to live in the jurisdiction in which you are running for office.

Please note that:

• If you currently work for the City of Kimberley or School District No. 6, you must take a leave of absence before being nominated. Contact the Chief Election Officer for more information. 
• Federal Government employees must apply to the Public Service Commission for permission to run in the election.
• At least two qualified City of Kimberley electors (whose names must be on Election BC's list of electors) must nominate you in accordance with the Local Government Act. 

Learn more about eligibility and specifics of running for local office at: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/governments/local-governments/governance-powers/general-local-elections/running-for-local-office

Pre-campaign period (advertising rules apply): July 19, 2026

Candidate Nomination Package Available: August 4, 2026

Nomination Period: Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 9:00 am to September 11, 2026, at 4:00 pm

Candidate Pre-election Information Session: Information will be available here soon

Advanced Voting Opportunities: 

• October 7, 2026, at Centennial Hall
• October 14, 2026, at Centennial Hall 

General Voting Day: October 17, 2026, at McKim Middle School

New Council Orientation (only for candidates elected for Mayor and Councillor): October 26, 2026, to October 30, 2026, from 9:00 to 17:00. Official schedule will be distributed to elected candidates on October 19, 2026. 

Inaugural Council Meeting: November 2nd, 2026, at 7:00 pm at the Kimberley Conference Centre (ceremony open to the public).

Resident Electors

Resident Electors

To vote in the City of Kimberley election as a Resident Elector, you must:

• Be a Canadian Citizen;
• Be 18 years of age or older on the day of registration;
• Be a resident of the City of Kimberley on the day of registration;
• Have been a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration; and
• Not be disqualified from voting in an election.

Corporations, businesses and permanent residents of Canada (landed immigrants who have not yet become Canadian Citizens) are not permitted to vote.

Non-Resident Property Electors

Individuals are eligible to vote in the Kimberley General Local Election as a Non-Resident Property Elector. They must:

• Be a Canadian Citizen;
• Be 18 years of age or older on the day of registration;
• Have been a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration; 
• Not be disqualified from voting in an election;
• Be a registered owner of a real property in the City of Kimberley for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration;
• Be registered as a non-property elector only in relation to one parcel of real property in the City; and
• If applicable, have written consent from majority of registered owners. 

Only one registered owner can vote per parcel. Non-Resident Property Electors will be asked to complete a Non-Resident Property Elector Registration Form, including a consent form from the other property owners. The forms are available at both advance voting opportunities and on general voting day.

Property owners residing in any country or province other than British Columbia are not eligible to vote. 

Voters’ List

The City of Kimberley uses the most current available provincial list of electors prepared by Elections BC. If you are listed on the Provincial Voters List, you should be on the City's List of Electors.

Registering in advance makes the voting process faster and easier. The City will be adopting the Provincial Voters List as it stands in August 2026. In the meantime,  the best way to ensure your provincial voter registration information is up-to-date is by updating your information through Elections BC Online Voter Registration system or by calling us at 1-800-661-8683.

If you are not on the voters' list, you can still register to vote on Advance Voting Days or General Voting Day. To register on voting day, you must show two pieces of identification which prove who you are and where you live (i.e. includes your name and residential address) and one of the pieces of identification must also include your signature (e.g. driver's license, BC Services Card). If neither piece of identification shows your residential address, you must make a solemn declaration as to your place of residence.

Non-resident property electors must produce two pieces of identification (at least one with a signature) to prove identity and that they are entitled to register in relation to property (e.g. property tax notice or certificate of title). If applicable, written consent from the majority of property owners must be provided. Only one owner may register as a non-resident property elector.

Acceptable Voter ID

• BC Care Card
• BC Identification Card Issued by ICBC
• BC Services Card
• BC Driver's License
• Birth Certificate
• Canadian Passport or Citizenship Card
• Certificate of Indian Status
• Credit or debit card with name
• Income Tax Assessment
• Monthly Report/Request for Continued Income Assistance
• Nexus Border Card
• Owner's Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle License issued by ICBC
• Property Tax Notice issued by the City of Kimberley
• Social Insurance Card
• Statutory Declaration/Sworn Affidavit (from a notary public, lawyer, or commissioner for taking affidavits). 
• Student Card
• Utility bill (electricity, natural gas, water, telephone, or cable bill). 
• a document, issued by the government of Canada, that certifies that the applicant is registered as an Indian under the Indian Act (Canada), such as a status card, 
• a citizenship or membership card issued by a First Nation
• a citizenship card issued by Métis Nation British Columbia.

If the BC Care Card and driver’s license are combined, it only counts as one piece of identification. 

Advanced Voting Opportunities

Advance voting is available at Centennial Hall, 100 4th Avenue, on the dates and times listed below:

• Wednesday, October 7, 2026, between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm
• Wednesday, October 14, 2026, between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm

General Voting Day

On October 17, 2026, voting will take place at McKim Middle School, 689 Rotary Drive, between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm.

Health and Safety Protocols

The City of Kimberley will administer the election in accordance with the public health orders and its Communicable Disease Prevention Plan.

Electors are encouraged to:

• Monitor their health and stay home if sick (mail ballot voting is available to all eligible electors );
• Practice good hygiene (i.e. sanitize hands and cover coughs and sneezes) at a voting location; and
• Respect others' comfort level (i.e. physical distancing at a voting location.

Mail Ballot Voting

See the Mail Ballot Voting Section on this page for details. 

In the 2026 election, eligible voters can request to vote by mail. This represents a huge expansion in access to voting for City of Kimberley residents, as well as City of Kimberley property owners who meet the qualifications for a Non-Resident Property Elector (NRPE).

2026 KEY DATES FOR MAIL BALLOTS

Ballots received after 8 pm on October 17, 2026, will not be counted.

To increase transparency, a list of voters whose mail ballot kit requests have been approved will be available for viewing by candidates and their official agents. 

REQUESTING A MAIL BALLOT PACKAGE:

In accordance with the deadlines stated above, you must submit a completed APPLICATION FOR MAIL BALLOT to the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Chief Election Officer by mail, in person (340 Spokane Street, Kimberley, BC, V1A 2E8) by fax ((250) 427-5252), or by email to (election@kimberley.ca).

The APPLICATION FOR MAIL BALLOT is available on the City of Kimberley website – New Form will be provided within the next two weeks:

(1)          Full Name,

(2)          Residential address,

(3)          Address of the property in relation to which you are voting (for non-resident property electors),

(4)          Method of delivery of your mail ballot package;

• pick up at office and, if you wish, name of person you authorize to pick up package for you, OR
• regular letter mail through Canada Post to residential address, OR
• regular letter mail through Canada Post to an alternate address that you provide when requesting the ballot package, and

(5)          If you are not on the list of electors, to ensure you receive the correct registration application form in your package, you must indicate whether you are going to be registering as a resident or non-resident property elector.

WHAT KIND OF IDENTIFICATION DO I NEED TO RECEIVE A MAIL BALLOT PACKAGE?

One piece of identification is required to receive a mail ballot package. You can submit that in the following ways:

• Email scans or photos of your ID to election@kimberley.ca; these emails will be fully erased within 24 business hours of identity confirmation; or
• Fax your ID to (250) 427-5252; faxed items will be securely shredded within 24 business hours of identity confirmation; or
• Make an appointment with the Chief Election Officer to verify your ID in person by emailing election@kimberley.ca or calling (250) 427-9659. If this option is used, the mail ballot package will be issued at the same time. 15 minutes should be allocated for the appointment.

WHEN WILL I GET MY MAIL BALLOT PACKAGE?

The City will send out mail ballot packages commencing on or about September 30, 2026. 

HOW DO I COMPLETE MY MAIL BALLOT PACKAGE?

Full instructions will be included in your mail ballot package.

WHEN WILL MAIL BALLOTS BE COUNTED?

To be counted, your mail ballot must be received by the Chief Election Officer no later than 8 pm on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Mail ballots will be run through the tabulators shortly after the close of voting on October 17, 2026, with the special poll ballots.

Ballots received after 8 pm on October 17, 2026, will not be counted.

MY BALLOT IS DAMAGED, OR I VOTED FOR TOO MANY PEOPLE, WHAT CAN I DO

If your ballot is spoiled or damaged, you can make an appointment with the election office by calling (250) 427-9659 or email election@kimberley.ca.

When it is time for your appointment, bring your complete original mail ballot package and identification. You will receive a new ballot once the damaged one is returned.

Information available soon.