Elections

The Township uses the Provincial Voters List for the list of electors.  If you are not on the list of electors, you may register in advance with Elections BC here: Register to Vote | Elections BC or at the time of voting by completing the application form available at the voting place and making a declaration that you meet the qualifications to be registered as follows:

Resident electors: 

• 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 Township of Esquimalt on the day of registration; and
• not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election and not otherwise disqualified by law. 

Resident electors must produce at least 2 pieces of identification that provide evidence of your identity and residency (at least one with a signature). Picture identification is not necessary. A list of acceptable ID can be found at Local Government Elections Regulation B.C. Reg. 179/2025

Non-resident property electors: 

• 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 Township of Esquimalt for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration; 
• 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 and not otherwise disqualified by law.

Please note that the title of the property cannot be in the name of an individual who is holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust. 

Non-resident property electors must provide 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature) to prove their identity, proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property, and, if there is more than one owner, written consent from the majority of the property owners. 

• Non-resident property elector consent form.  Original signatures are required. 

Qualifications for office

A person is qualified to be nominated, elected, and to hold office as a member of local government if they meet the following criteria:

• 18 years of age or older on general voting day, October 17, 2026;
• Canadian citizen;
• Resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately preceding the day nomination papers are filed (March 10, 2026, if filing papers on the last day of nomination Friday, September 11, 2026); and
• Not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia or being nominated for, being elected to or holding the office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

Campaign period expense limits

In accordance with the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, for the 2026 General Local Election, the following expense limit for candidates during the campaign period applies:

Third party advertising limits

In accordance with the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, for the 2026 General Local Election, the following third-party advertising expense limit applies:

For further information on campaign period expense limits and third-party advertising limits, please contact Elections BC:  Toll-free phone: 1-800-661-8683, Email: electoral.finance@elections.bc.ca, Website: www.elections.bc.ca.

Resources

• Province of BC : 
  • Guide - Thinking about running for local office? 
  • Videos: Being an Effective Elected Official
• The Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators: 
  • Leading Effective  Council Meetings  -  A Practical Guide for Mayors & Chairs in Canadian Municipalities 

Election BC’s role in local elections is to oversee compliance with the campaign financing and election advertising rules set out under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (or LECFA) and Local Elections Campaign Financing Regulation. Candidate financial and election advertising rules are listed on the  Elections BC website.   The following resources can be accessed on their website:  Guide to Local Elections Campaign Financing in B.C. For Candidates and their Financial Agents; reference sheets; forms; online training; and information sessions for potential candidates.  

For any questions about the rules for local candidates call 1-800-661-8683 or email electoral.finance@elections.bc.ca .

Frequently asked questions

1. I want to do a mail out.  How many households are there in the Township of Esquimalt?   

10,000 approximately

2. Will candidates get access to the Provincial Voters List?  

Yes, each candidate is entitled to receive one copy of the Provincial Voters List. All candidates must sign a statement declaring that they will not use the list for any purposes other than the election. Violation of this statement is an election offence under section 77 of the Local Government Act.  No one else, regardless of their entitlement to inspect the Voters List at Municipal Hall, is authorized to receive a copy of the Voters List. After the election, all candidates must return their copy of the Voters List to the Chief Election Officer by October 29, 2026.

Statistics

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Mail ballot voting is available to all qualified electors in the 2026 General Local Election. This is an expanded voting option for voters, both resident and non-resident property electors.   

Download an application to receive a mail ballot here

Submitting an application and receiving your ballot

Mail ballot application forms can also be picked up from the Corporate Services Department at Municipal Hall. Completed application forms can be mailed to or dropped off at Esquimalt Municipal Hall, 1229 Esquimalt Road, Esquimalt BC, V9A 3P1.

To ensure adequate delivery time, mail ballots will not be mailed out after October 6, 2026. Mail ballot packages requested after October 6 must be picked up by the elector, or their designate, from Municipal Hall.

Mail ballots may be picked up from Esquimalt Municipal Hall until 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday, October 13, 2026. Mail ballots are estimated to be available on or after Friday, October 2, 2026. You will be contacted when your package is ready for pick up if that is your selected option.

Returning your mail ballot

You are responsible for ensuring that your completed ballot is received by the Chief Election Officer no later than 8:00 p.m. on General Voting Day, Saturday, October 17, 2026. Mail ballots may be returned by regular mail or delivered to the address noted above. Mail ballots may also be hand delivered to the official polling station on General Voting Day between 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Please note that once you have registered to vote by mail ballot you cannot vote at the regular or advance polls. 

Questions? Contact our election team at elections@esquimalt.ca or (250) 414-7177.

Accessible voting options 

We're committed to making voting accessible for everyone. 
 

1. Mail ballot 

   Applications to Vote by Mail in the 2026 General Local Election are available now.  Deadline to apply is Tuesday, October 13, 2026.

   Download an application to request a mail ballot here

   Voting by mail allows you to vote from the comfort of your own home and provides a stress free option in order to avoid the possible line ups at the polls.  Mail ballot voting is not limited to specific groups—any eligible resident elector or non-resident property elector may request one. All mail ballots that are completed and returned according to the required procedures will be securely processed and fully included in the official ballot count on election day. This voting option ensures that voting is accessible, convenient and inclusive for all.

   See the "Voting by mail" drop-down menu for further requirements and due dates. 

2. Ballot marking device

   The ballot marking device is available to all voters who would benefit from using an accessible interface to generate a marked ballot.  This device has an audio-tactile interface, and includes headphones, a paddle button and a sip and puff port to navigate through the ballot marking options.

   Once the electors’ selections are confirmed the ballot marking device will print a paper copy of the marked ballot. The elector will then take the ballot to the tabulator for scanning into the ballot box.

3. Curbside voting

   Designated accessible parking available. Election officials bring the ballot to your vehicle and will protect voter secrecy. 

4. Personal assistance 

   Assistance can be requested from an election official, or you may be accompanied by an aid for any required accommodations. 

   Accessibility services are available for all in-person voting options. 

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Gymnasium, Esquimalt Recreation Centre, 527 Fraser Street