Information for Candidates

Are you considering running for mayor, councillor or school board trustee? Explore the key information below to understand what’s involved, and find general election resources from Elections BC.

Candidate Nomination Packages are now available at City Hall or online using the links below:
- Candidate Nomination Package
- Candidate Information Package

Nomination documents will be received and reviewed by the Chief Election Officer, or their designate, during the nomination period. Candidates are encouraged to schedule an appointment to submit their nomination documents. Please ensure you allow adequate time for the review, as corrections or additional information may be required before your nomination documents can be accepted. Contact the Chief Election Officer at 250-550-3536 or email elections@vernon.ca to book your appointment.

Key dates

July 20, 2026	Candidate nomination packages available: - Candidate Nomination Package - Candidate Information Package
July 23, 2026	Information session for potential candidates (optional) City Hall/Council Chamber (3400 30 St) from 5:30pm to 7pm Note: Same training session and content offered on July 28
July 28, 2026	Information session for potential candidates (optional) City Hall/Council Chamber (3400 30 St) from 5:30pm to 7pm Note: Same training session and content offered on July 23
September 1, 2026 at 9 a.m. to September 11, 2026 by 4 p.m.	Nomination period
September 11, 2026	Declaration of candidates
September 18, 2026 by 4 p.m.	Nomination withdrawal deadline
September 19, 2026 to October 17, 2026	Campaign period
October TBD, 2026	Special voting opportunities
October 7, 2026	Advance Poll, Schubert Centre/Emerald Room (3505 30 Ave) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
October 14, 2026	Advance Poll, City Hall/Council Chamber (3400 30 St) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.
October 17, 2026	General voting day from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Recreation Centre (3310 37 Ave) Fulton Secondary School (2301 Fulton Road) Vernon Secondary School (2100 15 Street)
November 2, 2026	Inaugural Council meeting
November 3, 2026	New Council orientation
November 4, 2026	Regional District North Okanagan Inaugural Meeting at 4 p.m.
January 15, 2027	Deadline for campaign financing disclosure statement

Resources

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 are now available
Nomination packages can be downloaded using the links below or picked up in-person at City Hall, 3400 30th Street, during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) beginning July 20, 2026.
- Candidate Nomination Package
- Candidate Information Package

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

Nomination documents will be received and reviewed by the Chief Election Officer, or their designate, during the nomination period. Candidates are encouraged to schedule an appointment to submit their nomination documents. Please ensure you allow adequate time for the review, as corrections or additional information may be required before your nomination documents can be accepted. Contact the Chief Election Officer at 250-550-3536 or email elections@vernon.ca to book your appointment.

Each Candidate Information package includes:
- Nomination Documents,
- Candidate Information Release Authorization (CivicInfo BC),
- Qualifications for Office
- Key Dates
- Resource Links, and
- Signage Information

Information for Candidates

Resources

/activities-events