Get started as a candidate

To be eligible to run as a candidate, at the time of nomination a person must meet the following criteria. 

To run for local government office, you must:

• be a Canadian citizen,
• be 18 years of age or older on General Election Day,
• have lived in B.C. for at least six months before filing nomination documents, and
• not be disqualified under the Local Government Act, or any other enactment in B.C. from being nominated for, elected to, or holding the office or be otherwise disqualified by law.

You do not have to live in the jurisdiction for which you are running for office.

Thinking of running for mayor or councillor? For an overview of what to expect before, during and after the election, check out the video series provided by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs.

Municipal election candidates must follow the Local Government Act and the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, rules designed to ensure fairness, transparency, and public trust in the election process.

To check the latest candidate expense limits, visit Elections BC. 

Candidate information packages can be requested starting July 20, 2026.
Nomination packages will be available for in-person pickup at City Hall, 3400 30th Street, during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) beginning July 20, 2026 or by email. Send a request for a nomination package to elections@vernon.ca.

The Nomination Period starts at 9:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 1, 2026 to 4:00 p.m., Friday, September 11, 2026. 

Nomination documents will be received by the Chief Election Officer, or their designate, during this time. It is recommended that candidates schedule an appointment to submit nomination documents. Contact the Chief Election Officer at 250-550-3517 or email elections@vernon.ca  to book your appointment.

Each package includes:

• eligibility requirements,
• the nomination process,
• key dates and deadlines, and
• an overview of the responsibilities of elected officials.

Election signs placed on boulevards remain the responsibility of candidates. Property owners and tenants are responsible for the care and upkeep of adjacent boulevards and may remove or temporarily relocate election signs if they interfere with maintenance work or create visibility concerns for motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, or other road users.

The City may also remove or relocate election signs that block sightlines, create safety concerns, or do not meet applicable bylaws and regulations.Read the signage requirements for more information.

Read the Guide to Local Elections Financing for more information.

Per section 82(1) of the Local Government Act, a contractor is not considered an 'employee' of the City so you are able to run for Office. Full disclosure of your contract with the City would be appropriate.