Local Elections

The Local Government Act establishes the regulations for elections, electors, candidates and any of their agents, and chief electoral officers.

During the four-year term, if a member of Council is no longer able to fulfill their duties and resigns their post, the Local Government Act allows for a by-election to be held prior to the next election date, if required.

Additional procedures and regulations are also outlined in the District of Kent General Local Government Election Bylaw No. 1472.

Please refer to Elections BC (Local Elections Tab) for more information on the upcoming election.

Running for Office

Thinking of Running for Local Office? Learn more on the BC Governments website.

Requirements

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 BC 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
• Not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from being nominated for, being elected to or holding office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

The District of Kent requires all electors to register at the time of voting (Bylaw No. 1412).

In order to be eligible to vote in general local elections or by-elections as a resident or 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.
• Registered owner of real property for at least 30 days before voting (non-resident).
• Not be disqualified under the Local Government Act, or any other enactment, or bylaw from voting in a local election.

Voter Registration

Resident Electors

• Register to vote at the polling station on voting day.
• You must provide two pieces of identification, one with a signature, that confirms who you are and where you presently live - including the person's name and residential address.

Non-resident Electors

• Register to vote at the polling station on voting day.
• You must provide two pieces of identification, one with a signature, that confirms who you are and where you presently live - including the person's name and residential address.
• If a person owns a property with one or more other individuals, only one person is eligible to vote as the non-resident property elector for that property. The owner entitled to vote must be designated, in writing, by the majority of the property owners.
• A person cannot vote on behalf of a corporation, or as a non-resident property elector, based on a property owned wholly or in part by a corporation.