Local Elections

The District of Kent requires electors to register at the time of voting.

To vote in the District of Kent local election, you must be eligible as either a resident elector or a non-resident property elector.

A person must:

• Be 18 years of age or older on voting day;
• Be a Canadian citizen;
• Have been a resident of BC for at least six months before voting;
• Be a resident of the District of Kent, or be a registered owner of real property in the District of Kent for at least 30 days before voting; and
• Not be disqualified under the Local Government Act, or any other enactment, or bylaw from voting in a local election.

Corporations are not entitled to vote.

Voter Registration

The District of Kent requires electors to register at the time of voting.

Resident Electors

Resident electors may register at the voting place on voting day.

You must provide two pieces of identification. At least one piece of identification must include a signature. The identification must confirm who you are and where you live, including your name and residential address.

Non-Resident Property Electors

Non-resident property electors may register at the voting place on voting day.

You must provide two pieces of identification. At least one piece of identification must include a signature. The identification must confirm who you are and where you live, including your name and residential address.

If a property is owned by more than one person, only one person is eligible to vote as the non-resident property elector for that property. The person voting must be designated in writing by the majority of the property's owners.

A person cannot vote on behalf of a corporation, or as a non-resident property elector based on property owned wholly or partly by a corporation.

For more information, please see the Province of B.C.'s Voter's Guide.

General Voting Day

Date: Saturday, October 17, 2026

Time: 8:00 am to 8:00 pm

Location: Agassiz Agricultural Hall, 6800 Pioneer Avenue

Advance Voting Opportunities

Advance voting will be available on the following dates:

Special Voting Opportunity

A special voting opportunity will be provided on Friday, October 16, 2026 at designated care homes and independent living places.

Special voting is only available to eligible electors residing at designated locations.

Electors must provide two pieces of identification. At least one piece of identification must include a signature. Identification must confirm who you are and where you live.

Acceptable identification may include:

• BC Care Card
• BC Driver's Licence
• BC Identification Card issued by ICBC
• BC Services Card
• Birth Certificate
• Canadian Citizenship Card
• Credit Card or Debit Card
• Property Tax Notice
• Secure Certificate of Indian Status (Status Card)
• Social Insurance Number (SIN) Card
• Utility Bill (Phone, Hydro, Gas, etc.)
• Valid Passport
• Vehicle insurance documents issued by ICBC

An election official may also accept other documents that provide satisfactory evidence of identity and residency.

Non-resident property electors must also provide proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property. If applicable, written consent from the majority of the other property owners may also be required.

If you have not voted in a local election before, election staff will be available to guide you throughout the process.

When you arrive at the voting place, staff will confirm your eligibility, review any required identification, and provide you with a ballot.

You will mark your ballot privately and return it as directed. If you need assistance or have questions, ask an election official at the voting place.

Residents are encouraged to review voting dates, locations, eligibility requirements, and identification requirements before attending.

Interested in running for local office?

Local elected officials make decisions on matters that affect the community, including local services, land use, infrastructure, recreation, and community planning.

Prospective candidates are encouraged to review provincial candidate resources before submitting nomination documents.

Helpful Resources:

• BC Government: Thinking of Running for Local Office
• BC Government: Handbook for Local Candidates
• Elections BC: Local Guides

To be eligible to run for local government office in a general local election or by-election, a person must have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months before filing their nomination documents. They do not have to live or own property in the area where they are running for office.

In addition, a person must:

• Be 18 years of age or older on general voting day;
• Be a Canadian citizen; and
• Not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from being nominated for, being elected to, or holding office.

The District of Kent’s General Local Government Election Bylaw requires nominations for Mayor or Councillor to be accompanied by a nomination deposit. The nomination deposit is $100 for Mayor and $100 for Councillor.

Nomination packages can be requested using our online form, available here, or picked up in person at Municipal Hall (7170 Cheam Ave).

Prospective candidates are encouraged to review the package carefully and ensure all required documents are submitted during the official nomination period.

The nomination period for the 2026 General Local Election is expected to run from September 1 to September 11, 2026. Please check this page for confirmed nomination information.

Candidates are responsible for understanding and following campaign financing and advertising rules under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.

Elections BC administers campaign financing, disclosure, and election advertising rules for local elections.

For more information, visit:

• Elections BC: Local Guides
• Election Advertising - Quick Reference Sheet
• Local Election Expense Limits - Quick Reference Sheet

The District conducts general local government elections in accordance with the Local Government Act and applicable District of Kent election bylaws.

• District of Kent General Local Government Election Bylaw No. 1472
  • This bylaw provides procedures for local government elections and other voting, including nomination requirements, advance voting opportunities, special voting opportunities, ballot name order, and scrutineers.
• District of Kent Automated Vote Counting System Authorization and Procedure Bylaw No. 1473
  • This bylaw authorizes the use of an automated vote counting system and sets out related procedures for voting, ballot counting, recounts, and manual counting
• District of Kent Sign Regulation Bylaw No. 1710
  • This bylaw regulates signs within the District, including political election signs.

Additional local election information is available through the Province of British Columbia and Elections BC.