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 Elections BC - Voter ID. 

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 can not 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. 

Candidate Nomination Packages

Interested persons can now obtain information on the requirements and procedures for making nominations including nomination documents.

WHEN: Monday, July 27, 2026 during regular office hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except statutory holidays, until the close of the nomination period at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026. 

WHERE:  Esquimalt Municipal Hall, 1229 Esquimalt Road,  

Packages may also be requested by email to elections@esquimalt.ca .  

Nomination Submissions

Nominations for the office of Mayor, one (1) to be elected, and Councillor, six (6) to be elected will be received by the Chief Election Officer or their designate as follows:

WHEN:   Tuesday, September 1, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. until Friday, September 11, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.                                                Appointments to drop off the Nomination package must be made ahead of time.

WHERE: Esquimalt Municipal Hall, 1229 Esquimalt Road, Esquimalt, BC, V9A 3P1

HOW:      Nomination documents may be delivered by hand, by mail, or other delivery service to the Chief Election     Officer at the address noted above. They may also be submitted by fax to 250-414-7111 or by email to elections@esquimalt.ca. The deadline for receiving nomination documents is Friday, September 11, 2026, at 4:00 p.m.

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.

For further information on the nomination process, please contact:

Email: elections@esquimalt.ca

Sarah Holloway, Chief Election Officer, 250-414-7157 or

Victoria McKean, Deputy Chief Election Officer, 250-414-7119

Resources

If you are thinking of running for local office the following information may help with your decision:

• 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.

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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.   

Applications to vote by mail will be available on August 17th in this section.

This section will be updated with more information regularly.

Accessible Voting Options 

We're committed to making voting accessible for everyone. 
 

1. Mail Ballot 

   See the Voting by Mail drop down for details on how to apply for a mail in ballot. Applications will be available on August 17th. 

2. Ballot Marking Device

   Available for voters who cannot mark paper ballots. Features audio-tactile interface, headphones, paddle button, and sip-and-puff port. 

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.