General local elections in British Columbia are held every four years on the third Saturday in October. The next general local elections will be held on Saturday October 17, 2026.

Candidates for 2026 General Local & School Trustee Election

Candidates for Office of Mayor:

Candidates for the Offices of Councillor:

Candidates for the Office(s) of School Trustee for SD#5 Area 5 City of Cranbrook & RDEK Area C:

You can visit our 'Meet The Candidates' section for more information.
 

Voting (City of Cranbrook Residents Only)

• Advance Poll 1 - Complete
  Wednesday, October 7, 2026 - 8:00am - 8:00pm
  Location: Senior Citizens Hall, 125 17 Ave. S.
   
• Advance Poll 2 - Complete
  Wednesday, October 14, 2026 - 8:00am - 8:00pm
  Location: Senior Citizens Hall, 125 17 Ave. S.
   
• General Voting Day 
  Saturday, October 17, 2026 - 8:00am - 8:00pm
  Location: Laurie Middle School Gymnasium, 1808 2 St. S.
  Day where electors cast ballots and determine results of the election 

Special Voting Opportunities - Complete

Special voting opportunities are available for voters who are admitted patients or long-term care facility residents only on Thursday, October 15, 2026:

•    Kootenay Street Village (9am to 12pm)
•    Fred Scott Rotary Villa (9:15am to 9:45am)
•    Joseph Creek Village (9am to 2pm)
•    Dr. FW Green Memorial Home (10am to 11:45am)
•    Kootenay Street Care Village (12:15pm to 2:30pm)
•    East Kootenay Regional Hospital (1pm to 4:30pm)
•    Joseph Creek Care Village (2pm to 5:30pm)
•    Mountain View Village (5pm to 5:45pm)

Voting (RDEK Area C Residents - Voting For School Trustee only)

Advance Voting

• Wednesday, October 7, 2026 - Complete
  8:00am to 8:00pm
  RDEK Board Room
  19 - 24th Avenue South, Cranbrook
   
• Wednesday, October 14, 2026 - Complete
  8:00am to 8:00pm
  RDEK Board Room
  19 - 24th Avenue South, Cranbrook

General Voting

• Saturday, October 17, 2026
  8:00am to 8:00pm
  RDEK Board Room
  19-24th Avenue South, Cranbrook
   
• Wardner Community Hall
  6211 Cartwright Street, Wardner

Voting By Mail (Mail Ballots)

If you are planning on voting by mail this election, we ask that you request your mail ballot package right away by downloading the form here, or by emailing Sarann Press, Chief Elections Officer at [email protected] or call 1-866-231-7792.
Mail ballot packages will be sent out on or about September 28, 2026.

For more information about local elections, including candidate and voter eligibility, voting opportunities, and other rules, please visit www.gov.bc.ca/localelections.

Visit the Elections BC website for important information about campaign contributions, advertising rules, key dates & more @ elections.bc.ca.

Elector Qualifications

Resident electors may register on voting days if you meet the qualifications set out below and bring supporting identification to the voting place. Two pieces of ID are required; one with name and signature and one with name and civic address.

Non-resident Property Electors may register on voting days if you meet the qualifications listed below and bring identification, proof of ownership of the property and the written consent of a majority of the registered owners of the property, designating you as the one who may vote.

Resident Electors:

•    18 years of age or older on general voting day for the election or assent voting; and
•    a Canadian citizen; and
•    a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration; and
•    a resident of the City of Cranbrook and
•    not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law.

Non-Resident Property Electors:

•    18 years of age older on general voting day for the election or assent voting; and
•    a Canadian citizen; and
•    a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration; and
•    a registered owner of real property in Cranbrook for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration; and
•    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 or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law; and
•    if there is more than one registered owner of the property, only one of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majority of the owners, register as a non-resident property elector.
 

Public Notices

• Declaration Of Election By Voting
• Notice of Advance Voting and Notice of Election by Voting
• Meet The Candidates
• Declaration of Candidates
• Notice of Advance Voting
• Advance Elector Registration Notice
• Elector Qualifications
   

Election Calendar

Election Period
Thursday, January 1, 2026 – Friday, September 18, 2026 
Period beginning January 1 of an election year until 29 days before General Voting Day. Campaigns must report all expenses incurred during the election period. 

Nomination Period
Tuesday, September 1, 2026 @ 9:00am – Friday, September 11, 2026 @ 4:00pm 
The period for candidates to submit their nominations to local election officials. Download nomination packages below.

Pre-Campaign Period
Monday, July 20, 2026 – Friday, September 18, 2026 
At the beginning of this period election advertising rules come into force and continue through General Voting Day. 

Campaign Period
Saturday, September 19, 2026 – Saturday, October 17, 2026 
The period that begins on the 28th be¬fore General Voting Day and ends at the close of voting on General Voting Day. Candidate and third-party expense limits apply during this period. 

Campaign Financing Disclosure Statement Filing Deadline
Friday, January 15, 2027 - Deadline to file campaign financing disclosure statements 

Campaign Financing Disclosure Statement Late Filing Deadline
Monday, February 16, 2027 - Final deadline to file campaign financing disclosure statements. Late filing before this deadline incurs a $500 late filing fee.
 

Additional Information
So, You Want To Be On City Council Guide
Council Code of Conduct Bylaw No. 4253, 2026
Ministry of Housing and Municipal Affairs - Election Materials & Information
Education for BC Local Government Elected Officials
Being An Effective Elected Official - Province of BC
Local Election Advertising Quick Reference Sheet (Elections BC)
Sign Bylaw 3773, 2013 (Consolidated March 23, 2026)
Political Sign Deposit - Form
Government Of BC (Ministry of Municipal Affairs) – General Local Elections
Local Government Act - Part 3 (Electors & Elections)
School Act - Part 4 (Division 2: Trustee Qualifications & Division 3: Elections)

Contact: