Local Government Elections

Local government elections are held every four years on the third Saturday in October to elect the Mayor and Councillors who will represent the community and make decisions on behalf of the District of Hope. The District of Hope Council is comprised of one (1) Mayor and six (6) Councillors.

The next general local election will be held in 2026.

Council appoints a Chief Election Officer and Deputy Chief Election Officer to administer and oversee the election process in accordance with the Local Government Act.

The information provided on this page offers a general overview of local government elections. Election-specific notices, key dates, voting opportunities, and candidate information will be published as required leading up to the next election. Residents are encouraged to monitor the District website and official communication channels for election updates and notifications.

To vote in a District of Hope local government election, you must be registered as either a resident elector or a non-resident property elector and meet the eligibility requirements established by the Local Government Act.

Resident Electors

You may vote as a resident elector if you live within the District of Hope and:

• Are a Canadian citizen;

• Are 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day;

• Have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six (6) months immediately before registering to vote; and

• Are not disqualified from voting by the Local Government Act or any other enactment or law.

Resident electors may own or rent the property where they reside within the District.

Non-Resident Property Electors

You may vote as a non-resident property elector if you own property within the District of Hope but live elsewhere in British Columbia and:

• Are a Canadian citizen;

• Are 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day;

• Have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six (6) months immediately before registering to vote;

• Are not eligible to vote as a resident elector in the District of Hope;

• Have been a registered owner of the property for at least 30 days before registering to vote;

• Register in relation to only one property in the District; and

• Are not disqualified from voting by the Local Government Act or any other enactment or law.

Where a property has more than one owner, only one owner may vote as the non-resident property elector. Written consent from a majority of the property owners is required.

Corporations are not eligible to vote in local government elections and may not appoint a representative to vote on their behalf.

The District of Hope offers same-day voter registration for local government elections. Eligible electors who are not already registered may register at the time they vote on General Voting Day, during Advance Voting opportunities, or at any other authorized voting opportunity.

To register and vote, electors must provide the required identification and meet the eligibility requirements for either a resident elector or a non-resident property elector.

Electors will be required to present two pieces of identification, at least one of which must include a signature. Identification must establish both the elector's identity and place of residence. If identification does not include a residential address, the elector may complete a Declaration of Residency.

Additional information regarding voter registration requirements, identification, and voting opportunities will be provided in advance of each election.

The District of Hope offers a variety of voting opportunities to help ensure eligible electors can participate in local government elections.

General Voting Day

General Voting Day is held on the third Saturday in October during a general local election year. Eligible electors may vote in person at the designated voting location during the hours established by the Chief Election Officer.

Advance Voting

The District of Hope provides two Advance Voting opportunities prior to General Voting Day. Advance Voting allows electors to cast their ballot early if they are unable to attend on General Voting Day or prefer to vote in advance.

Mail Ballot Voting

Eligible electors who wish to vote by mail ballot must apply through the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Chief Election Officer. Mail ballots may be mailed directly to the elector or arranged for pickup, as determined during the application process.

Special Voting Opportunities

Special Voting Opportunities are available for electors who may otherwise be unable to vote during Advance Voting or on General Voting Day.

Special Voting Opportunities are typically provided for residents of Fraser Canyon Hospital, Park Street Manor, and Riverside Manor, as well as patients admitted to Fraser Canyon Hospital. Dates, times, and locations for Special Voting Opportunities will be established by the Chief Election Officer and announced in advance of the election.

Electors are required to provide identification when registering and voting in a local government election.

To register as an elector, you must present two pieces of identification, at least one of which includes your signature. Identification must establish both your identity and place of residence. If your identification does not include a residential address, you may complete a Declaration of Residency at the voting place.

Examples of acceptable identification include:

• Provincial Voter Card

• BC Driver's Licence

• BC Identification Card

• Government-issued identification cards

• Passport

• Citizenship Card issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada

• ICBC insurance documents

• BC Services Card or BC CareCard

• Credit card

• Social Insurance Card

• Property Tax Notice

• Utility bill

Election officials may accept other forms of identification that establish an elector's identity and residency in accordance with applicable legislation.

The District of Hope uses Automated Voting Machines to assist with ballot tabulation during local government elections. This technology helps provide a voting process that is efficient, accurate, and easy to use while maintaining a paper record of every ballot cast.

Automated Voting Machines are used to count votes for Mayor, Council, School District Trustees, and any assent voting questions that may appear on the ballot. Electors mark a paper ballot by filling in the oval beside their selected candidate or response and then insert the completed ballot into the voting machine for scanning and tabulation.

The voting machines are designed to help identify common ballot issues before a ballot is cast. For example, the machine may notify an elector if:

• Too many selections have been made for a particular office;

• No voting selections have been marked; or

• The elector has the option to accept the ballot as marked.

If a ballot contains an error, electors may have the opportunity to correct and recast their ballot. All paper ballots are securely retained in accordance with provincial legislation and serve as the official record of the election.

How It Works

1. Mark your ballot using the pen provided.

2. Fill in the oval beside your preferred candidate(s) or voting choice(s).

3. Insert the ballot into the voting machine.

4. The machine scans and records your ballot.

5. If an issue is detected, you will be notified and provided with available options.

Serving on Council is an opportunity to help shape the future of the District of Hope and represent the interests of the community. Residents interested in running for local office are encouraged to learn about the responsibilities of elected officials, candidate requirements, and campaign financing rules before submitting nomination papers.

Candidate Qualifications

To be nominated, elected, and hold office as a member of Council, a person must:

• Be 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day;

• Be a Canadian citizen;

• Have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months immediately before the date of nomination;

• Not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from being nominated, elected, or holding office; and

• Not be otherwise disqualified by law.

A person or the commander of an armed forces unit who has been granted the freedom of the municipality may also be eligible if they are a Canadian citizen.

Additional information regarding candidate nominations, election timelines, and required forms will be made available in advance of each local government election.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to review the resources provided by the Province of British Columbia and Elections BC to better understand the nomination process, campaign financing requirements, and responsibilities of elected office.

The Province of British Columbia and Elections BC provide a variety of resources to help voters, candidates, elector organizations, and third-party advertisers understand the local election process.

Provincial Resources

The Province of British Columbia offers information and guidance on:

• Local Elections in B.C.: What Every Candidate Needs to Know

• Candidate's Guide to Local Government Elections in B.C.

• Elector Organization Guide to Local Government Elections in B.C.

• Guide to Supporting a Candidate for Local Government Elections in B.C.

• Voter's Guide to Local Elections in B.C.

Elections BC Resources

Elections BC administers campaign financing and election advertising requirements for local elections and provides information for:

• Candidates

• Campaign Organizers

• Elector Organizations

• Third-Party Sponsors

• Financial Disclosure Requirements

• Campaign Financing Rules

• Guides and Educational Resources

Election Legislation

Local government elections in British Columbia are governed by provincial legislation, including:

• Community Charter

• Financial Disclosure Act

• Local Elections Campaign Financing Act

• Local Elections Statutes Amendment Act

• Local Government Act

• Local Government Elections Regulation (BC Reg. 380/93)

• Offence Act

Residents, candidates, and campaign participants are encouraged to review the applicable legislation and available resources to better understand their rights, responsibilities, and obligations during the election process.

For questions regarding local government elections, voter eligibility, voter registration, mail ballot voting, candidate nominations, or other election-related matters, please contact the Chief Election Officer.

Branden Morgan
Deputy Director of Corporate Services / Chief Election Officer

Phone: 604-869-5671
Fax: 604-869-2275
Email: bmorgan@hope.ca

Election-specific notices, key dates, nomination information, and voting opportunities will be published as they become available in accordance with applicable legislation.