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Election FAQ

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1. When is the next election?

Saturday, October 17, 2026

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2. Where and when can I vote?

At any of the following 2026 voting opportunities, between the hours of 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM:

Advance Voting Day #1 = Date & Location TBD

Advance Voting Day #2 = Date & Location TBD

General Election Day = Saturday, October 17, 2026 -- Location TBD

***Special voting opportunities may also be held for residents of seniors' care facilities. Dates/Locations TBD.

***As authorized by the Local Government Act, and pursuant to the City of Williams Lake's General Local Government Election Bylaw No. 2364, voting may be done by mail ballot. Contact the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Chief Election Officer (250-392-1773/1774; elections@williamslake.ca) to inquire on how to sign up for a mail ballot package.

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3. Do I qualify to vote?

You can vote in a civic election in the City of Williams Lake as a “resident elector” if you:

• Are 18 years of age or older on the day of registration OR, if an election or assent voting is in progress, will be 18 years of age or older on general voting day for the election or assent voting; and
• Are a Canadian citizen**; and
• Have been a resident of BC for at least six (6) months immediately before the day of registration; and
• Are a resident of the City of Williams Lake; and
• Are not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting in BC, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

All City of Williams Lake residents who meet these requirements can vote. It does not matter whether you rent or own your home.

If you own property in the City of Williams Lake but live somewhere else in BC, you are qualified to vote in the City of Williams Lake civic election as a “non-resident property elector” as long as you:

• Are not entitled to register as a resident elector in the City of Williams Lake; and
• Are 18 years of age or older on the day of registration, OR if an election or assent voting is in progress, will be 18 years of age or older on general voting day for the election or assent voting; and
• Are a Canadian citizen**; and
• Have been a resident of BC for at least six (6) months immediately before the day of registration; and
• Have been a registered owner of real property in the City of Williams Lake for at least thirty (30) days immediately before the day of registration (the only persons who are registered owners of the real property, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, are individuals who are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust); and
• Have received the written consent of the majority of individuals registered as owners of the real property to be registered as the non-resident property elector for this property (if there is more than one owner of the property); and
• Are not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting in BC, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

Non-resident property electors can vote only once, regardless of the number of properties they own. If there is more than one registered owner of a property, only one of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majority of the other owners, register as a non-resident property elector. If you have any questions about registering and voting as a “non-resident property elector”, contact the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Chief Election Officer (250-392-1773/1774; elections@williamslake.ca).

Pre-registration as a non-resident property elector is recommended.

**Landed immigrants who are not yet Canadian citizens are not permitted to vote in civic elections.

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4. Can I still vote if I do not live in the City of Williams Lake boundaries?

If you own property in the City of Williams Lake but live somewhere else in BC, you are qualified to vote in the City of Williams Lake civic election as a “non-resident property elector” as long as you:

• Are not entitled to register as a resident elector in the City of Williams Lake; and
• Are 18 years of age or older on the day of registration, OR if an election or assent voting is in progress, will be 18 years of age or older on general voting day for the election or assent voting; and
• Are a Canadian citizen**; and
• Have been a resident of BC for at least six (6) months immediately before the day of registration; and
• Have been a registered owner of real property in the City of Williams Lake for at least thirty (30) days immediately before the day of registration (the only persons who are registered owners of the real property, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, are individuals who are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust); and
• Have received the written consent of the majority of individuals registered as owners of the real property to be registered as the non-resident property elector for this property (if there is more than one owner of the property); and
• Are not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting in BC, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

Non-resident property electors can vote only once, regardless of the number of properties they own. If there is more than one registered owner of a property, only one of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majority of the other owners, register as a non-resident property elector. If you have any questions about registering and voting as a “non-resident property elector”, contact the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Chief Election Officer (250-392-1773/1774; elections@williamslake.ca).

Pre-registration as a non-resident property electors is recommended.

**Landed immigrants who are not yet Canadian citizens are not permitted to vote in civic elections.

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5. When will we know who is running for Mayor and Councillors?

The nomination period closes on [DATE TBD], 2026 at 4:00 PM. A notice of election will be placed in the local newspaper and on our website the following week, indicating who the candidates are.

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6. Is my name on the current list of electors?

The City of Williams Lake is now using the Provincial elector list, prepared by Elections BC, for resident elector registrations.  If you would like to make sure you are on the voters list, you can do so by registering with Elections BC before [DATE TBD], 2026 electronically via the following link or by phone (1-800-661-8683). Visit the Elections BC website at https://elections.bc.ca/voting/register-to-vote/ for more information on how to register to vote or to update your voter information (i.e. residential or mailing address).

Note that should you not reside within City limits, but qualify to vote in the City of Williams Lake’s local government election as a non-resident property elector (see Election FAQ's No. 3 and 4), please contact the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Chief Election Officer (250-392-1773/1774; elections@williamslake.ca), or visit the Corporate Services office at City Hall, 2nd Floor, 450 Mart Street. Office hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays. Advance non-resident property elector registrations will be accepted at the City of Williams Lake Corporate Services office until [DATE TBD], 2026. Registrations will not be accepted after this date but will be accepted on voting days.

Pre-registration for non-resident property electors is encouraged.

Eligible resident and non-resident electors will also be able to register at the time of voting.

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7. Can I register to vote on election day?

Yes, both resident and non-resident property electors may register at the time of voting, during each of the advance, special and general voting opportunities, or when voting by mail-in ballot.

Pre-registration for non-resident property electors is encouraged.

If you have any questions about registering and voting as a “non-resident property elector”, contact the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Chief Election Officer (250-392-1773/1774; elections@williamslake.ca).

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8. Do I need identification to vote?

Yes. Resident Electors must produce two (2) valid pieces of identification that provide evidence of the person's identity and residency in the City of Williams Lake, at least one of which must contain a signature (picture identification is not necessary). Valid ID include:

• BC Driver’s License
• City of Williams Lake Tax Notice
• ICBC Owner's Certificate and Vehicle Insurance Documents
• Social Insurance Card
• BC Identification Card
• Credit Card
• BC Services Card
• Utility Bill
• Citizenship Card

Non-Resident Electors must produce two (2) valid pieces of identification in order to prove identity, at least one of which must have a signature, as well as proof of ownership of property in the City of Williams Lake. If there are other owners of the property in question, you must also have written consent from the majority of all the owners stating that you are the one owner who is designated as the Non-Resident (Property) Elector for that property. Non-resident electors can vote only once, regardless of the number of properties they own. ***Property registered in company/corporation names do not qualify under the Local Government Act to vote in municipal elections. See Election FAQ No. 3 and 4 for more information.

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9. Do you offer curbside voting for persons with disabilities?

Yes, curbside voting is available at both advance voting opportunities as well as on general voting day. Contact the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Chief Election Officer (250-392-1773/1774; elections@williamslake.ca) for more information.

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10. Can I vote if I am out of town in October?

Individuals who will be unable to attend the advance voting opportunities or cast a ballot on General Voting Day will be able to vote by mail. For information on, and to pre-register for, a mail-in ballot, please visit the Corporate Services office at City Hall, 2nd Floor, 450 Mart Street during regular office hours, or contact the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Chief Election Officer (250-392-1773/1774; elections@williamslake.ca).

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11. Are mail-in ballots permitted?

All individuals who qualify to vote but are unable to attend the advance voting opportunities or cast a ballot on general voting day, or those who prefer it, will be able to vote by mail. For information on, and to pre-register for, a mail-in ballot, please visit the Corporate Services office at City Hall, 2nd Floor, 450 Mart Street, or contact the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Chief Election Officer (250-392-1773/1774; elections@williamslake.ca).

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12. Do I have to vote for all six (6) Councillor positions on the ballot?

No. The ballot contains all the candidates running for office. Electors have a choice of voting for UP TO SIX (6) Councillor candidates, but are not required to vote for six (6). In other words, if you only have four (4) Councillor candidates you wish to vote for, you may do so.

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13. Am I qualified to run for office?

You do not have to be a resident of, or own property in, the City of Williams Lake to be nominated, elected and to hold office as a member of local government. However, you must meet the following criteria (Section 81 of the Local Government Act):

• Canadian citizen (landed immigrants who are not yet Canadian citizens are not qualified); and
• Will be 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day; and
• Resident of BC for at least the last six (6) months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed; and
• Not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting in BC or from being nominated for, being elected to or holding the office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

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14. Do I have to live in the City of Williams Lake to run for office?

No. The Local Government Act does not limit candidates to residents of the communities.

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15. How to I get nominated?

Candidates must be nominated by two qualified resident electors to run for Mayor OR Councillor. Nomination packages for Mayor and Councillor will be available as of [DATE TBD], 2026 from the Corporate Services office at City Hall, 2nd Floor, 450 Mart Street, during regular office hours of 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM. Nomination packages for School Board Trustee will be available from School District No. 27. Nominations for Mayor and Councillor must be filed with the Chief Election Officer or the Deputy Chief Election Officer at City Hall and will only be accepted between 9:00 AM on [DATE TBD], 2026 and 4:00 PM on [DATE TBD], 2026. A nomination deposit is not required.

See Division 6, Sections 86 to 91 of the Local Government Act; City of Williams Lake "General Local Government Election Bylaw No. 2364, 2022" for more information.

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16. How many nominators do I need to run for office?

Two eligible electors from the City of Williams Lake. See the Candidate’s Guide to Local Government Elections in BC for more information.

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17. Where do I get nomination papers and when is the period for filing them?

Nomination packages for Mayor and Councillor will be available as of [DATE TBD], 2026 from the Corporate Services Department at City Hall, 2nd Floor, 450 Mart Street. Nomination packages for School Board Trustee will be available from School District No. 27. Nominations for Mayor and Councillor must be filed with the Chief Election Officer or the Deputy Chief Election Officer at City Hall and will only be accepted between 9:00 AM on [DATE TBD], 2026 and 4:00 PM on [DATE TBD], 2026. A nomination deposit is not required.

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18. What are the rules for campaign signs?

City of Williams Lake Sign Bylaw No. 2360, 2022, Section 20(g) “Signs Permitted in all Zones” states the following:

“Political campaign signs are permitted in all zones only during Federal, Provincial, or Municipal election or referendum periods per Provincial and Federal legislations, on behalf of candidates for public office or referendum on election ballots provided that such sign shall be removed within four days following the general voting day.  Such signs shall not be installed:

1. On or over a street, including any boulevards or public right of ways;
2. On private property, without the written consent of the property owner where the sign will be located;
3. Within three 3 metres of a fire hydrant;
4. If it exceeds 2 metres in height, as measured from the grade of the site to the top of the political campaign sign or its supporting structure, whichever is greater;
5. With a sign face exceeding 1.5 square metres in area; and
6. In a manner that it obstructs, simulates, or detracts from the visibility of regulatory signs or other traffic control devices.” 

The City’s Sign Bylaw permits temporary election signs to be placed from the beginning of the election period (as determined by Provincial/Federal legislation) until four days after the general election day.

See the Candidate’s Guide to Local Government Elections in BC, the Guide to Local Elections Campaign Financing in BC for Candidates and their Financial Agents, and the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (LECFA) for more information.

In addition to the rules included in the City’s Sign Bylaw, the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure regulates sign placement along Provincial highways (i.e. Highways 97 and 20).  Their regulations can be found online at: www.gov.bc.ca/electionsigns.  Based on Ministry policy, signs along provincial highways cannot be placed until the campaign period begins (DATE TBD, 2026).

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19. Where can I find information on campaign financing, elector organizations and third party sponsors?

On May 29, 2014, the Government of British Columbia gave Royal Assent to the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (LECFA) and the Local Elections Statutes Amendment Act (LESAA).  The new rule changes in LECFA and LESAA are now in force and will affect candidates, elector organizations and third party advertising sponsors for the November 2014 and subsequent general local elections.  For more information or answers to questions about LECFA election advertising, third party advertising and campaign financing rules, please contact Elections BC at:

Elections BC – Electoral Finance
Phone toll-free: 1-800-661-8683 / TTY: 1-888-456-5448
Email: electoral.finance@elections.bc.ca
Fax: 250-387-3578 / Toll-free Fax: 1-866-466-0665
Mailing Address: PO Box 9275 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC, V8W 9J6
elections.bc.ca

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20. Where can I find information on financial disclosure requirements?

See the Financial Disclosure Act and the Candidate’s Guide to Local Government Elections in BC.

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21. What is an Elector Organization?

An Elector Organization is an organization that encourages the election of a particular candidate. If the organization wants to have its name appear on the ballot with the candidate’s name, it must have been in existence for 60 days and have had a membership of 50 electors of the local government for that period. Elector organizations are bound by the same campaign fundraising and disclosure rules as candidates. See the “Related Documents & Links” on the City's 2026 Election page for more information.

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22. What is a Campaign Organizer?

A campaign organizer is a group or individual that encourages the election of a particular candidate or support for a particular elector organization through a series of campaign activities. An individual, other than a candidate, who undertakes an election campaign is a campaign organizer only if he or she accepts financial support for the campaign activities from other people or groups. A group does not need to be incorporated under the Societies Act to be a campaign organizer. Campaign organizers are bound by the same campaign fundraising restrictions and disclosure rules as candidates. See the “Related Documents & Links” section on the City's 2026 Election page for more information.

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23. Does the public have access to candidates’ nomination documents?

Yes. As authorized under Section 89 (8) of the Local Government Act, and pursuant to Section 2 of the City of Williams Lake "General Local Government Election Bylaw No. 2364, 2022", public access to nomination documents will be provided in City Hall during regular office hours and by Internet access until 30 days after the declaration of the election results.

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24. What was the voter turnout for past municipal elections in Williams Lake?

2022: 3,197 of the 8,185 eligible electors voted = voter turnout of 39.1%
2018: 3,051 of the 8,072 eligible electors voted = voter turnout of 37.8%
2014: 3,565 of the 7,780 eligible electors voted = voter turnout of 45.8%
2011: 3,638 of the 7,173 eligible electors voted = voter turnout of 50.7%
2008: 2,989 of the 6,682 eligible electors voted = voter turnout of 44.7%
2005: 3,857 of the 7,769 eligible electors voted = voter turnout of 49.6%

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25. Who can I contact if I have questions?

Chief Election Officer at 250-392-1773
Deputy Chief Election Officer at 250-392-1774
E-Mail at elections@williamslake.ca

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