Elections and Other Voting Opportunities
MainArchived: Assent VotesArchived: Alternative Process VotesCandidatesElection OfficialsMunicipal InformationElectoral Map & Voting StationsMail Ballot Voting
Local government elections in British Columbia are held every four (4) years. This includes elections for mayors, councillors, regional district electoral area directors and commissioners.
The next General Local Government Election will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
In the Peace River Regional District, voters in four electoral areas (B,C D and E) will be choosing Electoral Area Directors to represent their constituents on the PRRD Board.
As well, members in seven member municipalities will be electing Mayors, Councillors and School Board Trustees; those individuals also provide representation on the PRRD Board of Directors.
Learn more about the electoral area director candidates you can vote for within the Regional District.
If you have not registered to vote in advance, you can register at the polls.
Two pieces of identification are required; one that verifies residency, and one that verifies identity. One of the pieces must have a signature.
Note: Combination BC Services Card and BC Driver's Licence only count as one document.
Examples of acceptable forms of I.D.:
- BC Driver's Licence
- BC Identification Card
- BC Care Card
- BC Gold Care Card
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
- Canadian Passport
- Property Tax Notice
- Certificate of Canadian Citizenship
- Government Issued Military Identification Card
- Firearms Possession and Acquisition Licence
- Certificate of Indian Status
- Current Utility Bill – Containing Elector's Name and Address
- Owners Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence (issued by ICBC)
- Other documents sufficient to satisfy the Chief Election Officer
Resident Electors will be required to produce two (2) pieces of identification (at least one with a signature). Picture identification is not necessary. The documentation must prove both residency and identity.
You will be required to make a declaration that you are:
- 18 years of age or older on general voting day for the election
- a Canadian Citizen;
- a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration;
- a resident of the municipality of electoral area;
- not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law from voting.
If you own property within the voting jurisdiction (Electoral Area C) but do not reside within the voting jurisdiction, you may be eligible to vote as a non-resident property elector.
Non-Resident Property Electors will be required to produce two (2) pieces of identification (at least one with a signature) to prove identity (picture identification is not necessary), proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property (examples are tax notice, state of title certificate) and, if there is more than one owner of the property, written consent from the majority of the property owners.
Voters are encouraged to have the written consent form completed and signed prior to voting day.
You will be required to make a declaration that you are:
- not eligible to register as a resident elector;
- 18 years of age or older on general voting day for the election
- a Canadian Citizen;
- a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration;
- a registered owner of real property in the municipality or electoral area for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration;
- a registered owner not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust;
- not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law from voting.
Non-Resident Property Electors may not vote more than once within a voting jurisdiction regardless of the number of properties owned.
Elections BC administers campaign financing and advertising rules for local elections and assent voting in B.C. under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, which include campaign period expense limits, contribution limits, election advertising rules and disclosure rules.
Candidates must be familiar with the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act and its requirements.
If you have questions or concerns regarding the Financial Disclosure Act please contact:
Elections BC
250-387-5305 (1-855-952-0280)
electoral.finance@elections.bc.ca
No voting opportunities at this time
Assent voting (referendum) is used by a regional district to obtain the consent of electors by allowing electors to vote on whether or not a proposal moves forward.
Assent of the electors is obtained if a majority of the votes counted are in favor of the bylaw or question. Assent voting is conducted in a similar manner to local government elections, and can either be done at the same time as a general local election or by-election or on its own as a stand-alone vote.
You are allowed to vote if you are:
- A resident elector
(live in the municipality or regional district electoral area)
OR
- A non-resident property elector
(live elsewhere in BC but own property in the municipality or regional district electoral area).
ELECTOR QUALIFICATIONS
RESIDENT ELECTORS:
- 18 years of age or older on general voting day for the election or assent voting;
- Canadian citizen;
- Resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration;
- Not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law.
NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY ELECTORS:
- 18 years of age or older on general voting day for the election or assent voting; and
- Canadian citizen;
- Resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration; and
- Not entitled to register as a residents elector;
- 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;
- Not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law;
- If there is more than one registered owner of the property, one of those individuals may, with written consent of the majority of the owners, register as a non-resident property elector.
Alternative Approval Process
No voting opportunities at this time
The alternative approval process (AAP) was formerly known as counter-petition.
AAP requires that 10 per cent or more of the eligible electors must sign and submit response forms in opposition to the proposed initiative to require the local government to obtain assent of the electors in order to proceed. When this happens the issue is considered significant and the local government has two choices. They may proceed to assent voting within 80 days, or they may put the matter on hold and consider alternatives to the proposed action.
The local government is responsible for creating the elector response forms. The forms can either be single-response, or a longer petition-style form that can be signed by multiple electors.
You are allowed to vote if you are:
- A resident elector
(live in the municipality or regional district electoral area)
OR
- A non-resident property elector
(live elsewhere in BC but own property in the municipality or regional district electoral area).
ELECTOR QUALIFICATIONS
RESIDENT ELECTORS:
- 18 years of age or older on general voting day for the election or assent voting;
- Canadian citizen;
- Resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration;
- Not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law.
NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY ELECTORS:
- 18 years of age or older on general voting day for the election or assent voting; and
- Canadian citizen;
- Resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration; and
- Not entitled to register as a residents elector;
- 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;
- Not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law;
- If there is more than one registered owner of the property, one of those individuals may, with written consent of the majority of the owners, register as a non-resident property elector.
Archived: Assent Votes
Global Geopark Grant in Aid Service
The Regional Board adopted the Global Geopark Grant in Aid Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2477, 2022 on November 10, 2022 as follows: 2278 votes in favour, 1752 votes against. The bylaw provides authority for the provision of grants in aid to not for profit societies or local governments that are developing and improving, operating and maintaining a UNESCO designated Global Geopark in the Peace River Regional District.
References
Dinosaur Museum Grant in Aid Service
The Regional Board adopted the Dinosaur Museum Grant in Aid Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2476, 2022 on November 10, 2022 as follows: 2776 votes in favour, 1752 votes against. The bylaw provides authority for the provision of grants in aid to not for profit societies or local governments that are developing and improving, operating and maintaining a Dinosaur Museum in the Peace River Regional District.
References
Regional Connectivity Service
The Regional Board adopted the Regional Connectivity Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2487, 2022 on November 10, 2022 as follows: 3088 votes in favour, 1389 votes against. The bylaw establishes a service to be known as “Regional Connectivity Service” that authorizes the Regional District to:
a) Enter into partnering agreements with internet or cellular service providers to apply for grant funding from other levels of government or grant programs for Broadband Infrastructure;
b) Enter into partnering agreements to allow the PRRD to provide capital grants for Broadband Infrastructure projects, and;
c) Provide Peace River Regional District resources required to manage and advance Broadband Initiatives.
References
Sport and Cultural Events Grant in Aid
The Regional Board adopted the Sport and Cultural Events Grant in Aid Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2473, 2022 on November 10, 2022 as follows: 3210 votes in favour, 1284 votes against. The bylaw establishes a service to be known as “Sport and Cultural Events Grant in Aid” to provide funding to local governments or non-profit entities to host national or international level events, competitions or festivals that are sanctioned by the relevant governing oversight body, held within the boundaries of the Peace River Regional District.
References
Electoral Area B FSJ Public Library Financial Contribution Service
The Regional Board adopted the Electoral Area B Fort St. John Public Library Financial Contribution Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2484, 2022 on November 10, 2022 as follows: 180 votes in favour, 177 votes against. The bylaw establishes a service to be known as “Fort St. John Public Library Financial Contribution” to provide funding to assist with provision of library services. The bylaw is established to provide authority for the provision of financial contributions to not for profit organizations or local governments that are developing, improving and operating the Fort St. John Public Library in the Peace River Regional District.
References
Health Related Services Grant-In-Aid
The Regional Board adopted the Health Related Services Grant in Aid Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2445, 2021 on July 22, 2021. The bylaw will allow the PRRD to enhance health-related services in the region in the form of grants to not-for-profit societies who offer health related services, and scholarships to students seeking post-secondary education in a health care or medical field.
References
Seniors Aging in Place Support Services
The Regional Board adopted the Seniors Aging In Place Support Services Establishment Bylaw No. 2444, 2021 on July 22, 2021. The bylaw will help seniors stay in their homes for as long as possible by providing services including healthy meals, housekeeping, and yard maintenance.
References
Archived: Alternative Process Votes
Gotta Go Roadside Facilities
The Regional Board adopted the Gotta Go Roadside Facilities Service Establishment Bylaw No. 2440, 2021 on August 12, 2021. The Gotta Go project will provide restroom facilities along a portion of the Alaska Highway.
References
Candidates
A candidate is an individual seeking election as a mayor, councillor, electoral area director, Islands Trust local trustee, local community commissioner or specified parks board commissioner within a municipality, regional district electoral area, Trust area, community commission area or specified parks board jurisdiction.
A candidate must have been nominated by eligible electors and have been declared a candidate by the Chief Election Officer in order to run for elected office. Prospective candidates for local office must be nominated by at least two eligible electors from the jurisdiction where the person is seeking election.
Candidate Resources
(Click title to expand)
2023 By-Election Results +
| Candidate |
Votes |
| Brad Sperling |
264 |
| Suzanne Haab |
254 |
2022 Local Government Election Results +
Area B:
| Candidate |
Votes |
| Jeff Kitt |
156 |
| Jordan Kealy |
243 |
Area C: ELECTION INVALIDATED
| Candidate |
Votes |
| Suzanne Haab |
234 |
| Brad Sperling |
231 |
Area D: Leonard Hiebert, ACCLAIMED
Area E: Dan Rose, ACCLAIMED
Who May Run for Office +
A candidate for mayor, councillor or electoral area director 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 filing nomination documents; and,
- not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia or from being nominated for, being elected to or the holding office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.
Who May Not Run for Office +
A person is not eligible to run as a candidate for any local government office if they:
- have been convicted of an indictable offence and are disqualified from the date of the conviction until the date on which they are sentenced;
- have been convicted of and sentenced for an indictable offence and are in custody;
- have been found guilty of an election offence, such as intimidation or votebuying or other election offence, and are prohibited from holding office;
- are judges of the Provincial Court, Supreme Court or Court of Appeal;
- are involuntarily confined to a psychiatric facility or other institution;
- have been disqualified for specified reasons such as, failing to:
– file a campaign financing disclosure statement in a previous election;
– make an oath of office; or,
– attend local government meetings in the manner and frequency required by the Community Charter; or,
- have been disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia or from being nominated for, elected to or holding office under the Local Government Act or be otherwise disqualified by law.
Nomination Period +
The following nomination period is the only time during which the Chief Election Officer is permitted to accept nomination documents from nominees for office.
The Chief Election Officer officially declares the nominees who have met the candidacy requirements and have become candidates for the local government election after the end of the nomination period.
Who May Nominate +
Prospective candidates for local office must be nominated by at least two eligible electors from the local government where the person is seeking election, and eligible to vote in the jurisdiction as a resident elector or as a non-resident property elector.
To nominate a candidate for local office, the nominator must:
- be 18 years of age or older when they register to vote or will be 18 years of age or older on general voting day;
- be a Canadian citizen;
- have been a resident of B.C. for at least six months before registering to vote;
- be a resident in the municipality or electoral area for which the nomination is being made, or in the case of a non-property resident property elector, own real property in the municipality or electoral area;
- not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or be otherwise disqualified by law.
Endorsement by an Elector Organization optional +
A registered elector organization can endorse a candidate on the ballot by submitting all the required information in the endorsement documents to the Chief Election Officer and Elections BC during the nomination period.
Only elector organizations registered with Elections BC can file endorsement documents, receive campaign contributions and incur election expenses. The elector organization must have a membership of at least 50 eligible electors (either resident electors or non-resident property electors) at the time it submits registration information to Elections BC.
An elector organization cannot endorse more candidates in an election than there are offices to be filled, and a candidate can only be endorsed by one elector organization. Candidates endorsed by elector organizations must indicate their consent to the endorsement by providing their signature as part of the endorsement documents submitted to the Chief Election Officer and Elections BC by the elector organization.
Nomination Packages +
Nomination packages are available for download, for pick up from the PRRD offices during regular business hours or can be sent via mail upon request – and remain available until the nomination period ends on 4pm on January 20, 2023.
Nomination documents must be submitted to the Chief Election Officer, in person, by mail, fax or email. The Chief Election Officer must receive original copies of any documents submitted by fax or email by January 20 at 4pm. The nomination is not valid if the original nomination documents are not received by the deadline and the candidate will be deemed to have withdrawn.
Any changes to the nomination document information that take place after the election results have been declared must be sent directly to Elections BC.
Election Campaigns +
An election campaign is a connected series of actions (e.g., advertising, canvassing, meetings and speeches) for the purpose of electing a candidate or a group of candidates to a municipal council or regional district board.
Candidates generally direct their own election campaigns during local elections, but can retain an election campaign manager and campaign volunteers to prepare and distribute flyers, call eligible voters, handle logistics and take on other election campaign-related activities. Candidates have considerable flexibility in
organizing their election campaigns, provided they avoid committing election and/or campaign financing offences.
Third Party Advertising & Financing Rules +
A third party sponsor is an individual or organization that conducts election advertising independently from a candidate or elector organization campaign. Third party sponsors must be independent from candidates and/or elector organizations and must not coordinate, or sponsor advertising together with, or on behalf of a candidate and/or elector organization.
Third party sponsors are required to register with Elections BC before undertaking election advertising during the pre-campaign and campaign periods.
Campaign Financing Rules
Refer to Elections BC’s Guide for Local Elections Third Party Sponsors in B.C. for more information about the campaign financing rules, offences and penalties that apply to third party sponsors.
Or contact Elections BC:
Local: 250 387-5305
Toll-free: 800 661-8683
Email: electoral.finance@elections.bc.ca
Election Officials
Election Officials are recruited on an as needed basis to work in various communities throughout the region to assist with referenda, by-elections, general elections and other voting opportunities. Election officials are compensated by way of an hourly wage and/or mileage rate.
The PRRD holds a mandatory training session for election officials and provides the election officials with reference material and all necessary supplies. Ongoing support from the Chief and Deputy Chief Election Officers is available during voting days.
Requirements
- Prepared to attend a training session, travel to rural locations throughout the region and be able to work for an extended period of time on general voting day.
- Required to make a solemn declaration that they will faithfully and impartially fulfill their duties. Election Officials having personal connections to a candidate are to advise the Chief Election Officer.
- Complete and submit application form to the contact below
Contact
Submit applications forms and get more information about working as election official, by contacting Tyra Henderson at 250-784-3200 or via email.
Municipal Information
In addition to the four rural Electoral Area’s (B, C, D & E), the General Local Election involves seven member municipalities throughout the regional district. Each municipality has specific positions that eligible voters can vote on.
To review municipal-specific election information, visit the below pages:
District of Chetwynd
City of Dawson Creek
City of Fort St. John
District of Hudson’s Hope
Village of Pouce Coupe
District of Taylor
District of Tumbler Ridge
Electoral Map & Voting Stations
There are no active voting opportunities at this time.
The below map is for general reference only.
Mail Ballot Voting
There are no active voting opportunities at this time.
This page will be updated with mail ballot voting with the next voting opportunity.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO VOTE
You are allowed to vote if you are:
- A resident elector (i.e., you live in Regional District Electoral Area C), OR
- A non-resident property elector (i.e., you live elsewhere in BC but own property in Regional District Electoral Area C).
ELECTOR QUALIFICATIONS
Resident Electors:
- 18 years of age or older on general voting day for the by-election February 25, 2023; and
- a Canadian citizen; and
- a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration; and
- a resident in Regional District Electoral Area C; and
- not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law.
Non-Resident Property Electors:
- 18 years of age or older on general voting day for the by-election February 25, 2023; and
- a Canadian citizen; and
- a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration; and
- a registered owner of real property in a personal name (not corporately held) in Regional District Electoral Area C, for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration; and
- not entitled to register as a resident elector; and
- not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law; and
**If there is more than one registered owner of the property, one of those individuals may, with written consent of the majority of the owners, register as a non-resident property elector. **
HOW DO YOU REGISTER TO VOTE?
There is no need to pre-register to vote as the registration of all electors will take place at the time of voting. Mail Ballot Packages will include instructions on how to register to vote at the same time as you fill out your ballot.
