Local government elections give eligible residents and non-resident property electors the opportunity to choose the people who will represent their community and make decisions on their behalf. Voting allows electors to support the candidate or candidates they believe will best serve the community.
In British Columbia, general local elections are held every four years on the third Saturday in October. These elections may include positions such as mayor, councillor, electoral area director and school trustee.
Local elections are administered by each local government, which appoints a Chief Election Officer to oversee the election process in its jurisdiction. Elections BC is responsible for administering campaign financing, election advertising and elector organization rules under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act. Local elections must also follow applicable provincial legislation and local election bylaws.
The next general local election in British Columbia is scheduled for Saturday, October 17, 2026.
The City of Quesnel’s Chief Electoral Officer will release the official results following the October 17, 2026 Local Government Election for the City of Quesnel. Official results include totals from all general voting, advance voting, and mail-in ballots.
Election notices will be posted here when they become available.
| Election period begins | January 1 - September 18, 2026 |
| Residency cut-off date for electors (must have been a BC resident since this date) | April 16, 2026 |
| Candidate Information Session | June 26, 2026 |
| Election worker hiring period | May - August, 2026 |
| Nomination packages available | August 4 - September 11, 2026 |
| Nomination period begins | September 1, 2026, at 9 am |
| Nomination period closes | September 11, 2026, at 4 pm |
| Mail ballot voting applications accepted | September 1 - October 15, 2026, at 4:30 pm |
| Deadline to challenge nominations and elector organizations endorsements | September 15, 2026, at 4 pm |
| Property ownership cut-off date for non-resident property electors | September 16, 2026 |
Deadline for:
| September 18, 2026, at 4 pm |
| Campaign period | September 19 - October 17, 2026 |
| Advanced Voting opportunities - Quesnel City Hall | October 7 and October 10, 2026, from 8 am - 8 pm |
| General Voting Day | October 17, 2026 |
| Deadline to return mail ballots to the Chief Election Officer at City Hall | October 17, 2026, at 8 pm |
| Inaugural Council Meeting (Oath of Office) | November 3, 2026 |
| Campaign financing disclosure statement filing deadline | January 15, 2027 |
| Campaign financing disclosure statement late filing deadline with $500 late filing fee | February 16, 2027 |
For more details, visit Elections BC website.
Voting
Voters who live within the City of Quesnel boundaries
- Register at the time of voting
- Canadian Citizen
- 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day
- Resident of BC for a least 6 months immediately preceding voting day
- Resident of the City of Quesnel, or registered owner of real property in the City of Quesnel, for 30 days immediately before voting
- Not otherwise disqualified by law from voting
- Bring 2 pieces of identification [PDF/208KB] (at least one with a name and signature) at the time of voting. If the second required piece of identification is not available, voters must sign a declaration(s) for residency and/or identify at the time of voting. Picture identification is not necessary.
Property owners who live outside of Quesnel
ALL Non-Resident Property voters must also prove they are entitled to register to vote in relation to the property (i.e. current Property Tax Notice) and provide a completed Consent Form [PDF/80KB] from all other property owners listed on title, prior to voting. For more information, please contact the Chief Election Officer at 250-991-7477.
Voters who don't live or own property within the City of Quesnel
CANNOT vote for mayor and councillors. CRD Election Information
Voters are able to choose from multiple locations and dates that is most convenient to them to cast their single ballot.
General Voting Day
Saturday, October 17, 2026 | 8 am - 8 pm
- Quesnel City Hall
410 Kinchant Street - Correlieu Secondary School
850 Anderson Drive - Dragon Lake Elementary School
2671 Quesnel-Hydraulic Road
Advance Voting Days
October 7, 2026 | 8 am - 8 pm
- Quesnel City Hall
410 Kinchant Street
October 10, 2026 | 8 am - 8 pm
- Quesnel City Hall
410 Kinchant Street
***As authorized by the Local Government Act, and pursuant to the City of Quesnel Election and Other Voting Procedures Bylaw No. 1984, voting may be done by mail ballot. Contact the Chief Election Officer or Deputy Chief Election Officer to inquire on how to sign up for a mail ballot package.
Mail ballot voting will be available as an alternative option for voters who may be unable or unlikely to attend a voting place in person. This includes individuals in seniors’ housing, hospitals, or similar settings.
Eligible electors can apply to vote by mail ballot, once an election has been called.
Election officials are trained on how to help voters with accessibility challenges. When attending a voting site, speak to an Election Official to advise you need assistance.
- Getting help marking your ballot, if required
- Curbside voting - all voting locations are wheelchair accessible. Voters who can’t enter a voting place, can vote outside the building (at the curb or in the parking lot).
For more information
Laura Long, Chief Election Officer, at 250-991-7477 or elections@quesnel.ca.
Candidate Information
Nomination packages will be available: August 4, 2026
To be eligible to run for office, 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 filing nomination documents
- 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 holding office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.
A person is ineligible to run for office in a general local election or by-election if they:
- 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 vote-buying, 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 candidate disclosure statement in a previous election
- Make an oath of office
- Attend local government meetings in the manner and frequency required by the Community Charter
- Been 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 holding the office, or be otherwise disqualified by law
Learn more about eligibility requirements for government employees and volunteers
Nomination packages will be available here and for pickup at Quesnel City Hall as of August 4, 2026.
Individuals wishing to run for local office must submit their nomination documents during the official Nomination Period. Late submissions (after 4:00 p.m., September 11) will not be accepted.
Nomination documents may be delivered by hand, mail, courier, fax, or email. If sending nomination packages by any other method than in person, your documents must be signed by a notary or commissioner.
To ensure timely review and to support prospective candidates, all in-person nomination submissions should be made by appointment with the Chief Election Officer. This process helps maintain fairness, allows adequate time to review documents for completeness, and ensures each candidate receives the information they need.
To book an appointment during the Nomination Period, please contact the Chief Election Officer at 250-991-7477 or elections@quesnel.ca
Walk-in submissions may be reviewed for completeness and may not be accepted if deemed incomplete. It is encouraged that candidates book an appointment to ensure their nomination documents are properly reviewed and submitted within the legislated timelines.
The City of Quesnel will be accepting Expressions of Interest for Contracted Services (“Applications”) to work the 2026 General Local Election.
Applications are currently available, and will be accepted until 4:00 pm, Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
To apply:
Applicants may choose to complete either a printable (hard copy) PDF or a fillable (digital) PDF application form.
ELECTION OFFICIAL APPLICATION - PRINTABLE PDF [PDF/319KB]
ELECTION OFFICIAL APPLICATION - FILLABLE PDF [PDF/345KB]
Note: Printed copies of the Expressions of Interest - Election Official Application forms are also available from City Hall reception.
To submit your application:
Completed applications may be submitted in one of the following ways:
- In person at City Hall
- By mail to City Hall
- By email to: elections@quesnel.ca
In-Person or Mail:
ATTN: Laura Long, Chief Elections Officer
City of Quesnel
410 Kinchant St,
Quesnel BC
V2J 7J5
By email: elections@quesnel.ca
Please familiarize yourself with voting dates, and other aspects of working before submitting your application.
Applications will not be reviewed until after the closing date of August 12.
Notification to successful applicants will be provided by August 28, 2026.
Mandatory Training:
Those applications selected must attend a mandatory training session before working on a voting opportunity.
Training Session Dates:
Wednesday, September 9, 2026, from 5 pm - 7 pm at City Hall Council Chambers
Wednesday, September 23, 2026, from 2 pm - 4 pm at City Hall Council Chambers
For questions, please email elections@quesnel.ca
Thank you to all that joined us on Friday, June 26, 2026, for the 2026 Local Election Candidate Workshop.
Participants who were thinking about running for local government or were curious about how local decisions shape their community joined facilitator Christina Benty for an interactive workshop exploring local government, leadership, and community decision-making.
The workshop was ideal for engaged citizens, prospective candidates, and anyone interested in learning more about local government and the role elected officials play in shaping communities.
Presentation Materials from Christina Benty Strategic Solutions Inc. - June 26 Local Election Candidate Workshop
General Information:
- City of Quesnel Election and Other Voting Procedures Bylaw 1984 2026
- City of Quesnel Political Campaign Signs Bylaw 1875
- Local Elections FAQ’s
- General Local Elections 101
- Province of BC webpage re General Local Elections
- 2026 General Local Elections | Elections BC
- Local Elections Statutes Amendment Act
- Local Government Act
- Community Charter
- Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Fact Sheets
- Local Government in British Columbia (Fourth Edition)
Campaign Financing:
It is your responsibility to ensure you follow the rules in the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.
See the resources below for support and guidance:
- Guide to Local Elections Campaign Financing in BC for Candidates
- Financial Disclosure Act
- Local Elections Campaign Financing Act
- Financial Reporting and Political Contributions
- Candidate Expense Limits
Candidate information: