Potential Candidates
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:
| Office of Mayor: | $21,543.94 |
| Office of Councillor: | $10,799.77 |
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:
| Directed Advertising: | |
| Office of Mayor: | $1,077.20 |
| Office of Councillor: | $1,077.20 |
| Cumulative Advertising: | $184,856.70 |
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 :
- The Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators:
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
- I want to do a mail out. How many households are there in the Township of Esquimalt?
10,000 approximately
- 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
