Voting information
You can vote in the District of Central Saanich election if you are a resident of Central Saanich (resident elector) or own property in Central Saanich (non-resident property elector) and meet the qualifications outlined below.
The District of Central Saanich uses the Provincial List of Electors for voting purposes. You can register in advance with Elections BC up to August 18, 2026 or, if eligible, register when you go to vote.
Check or update your voter registration through Elections BC:
Website: Elections.bc.ca
Phone: 1‑800‑661‑8683
Email: electionsbc@elections.bc.ca
You are also able to register on voting days at the voting location. Please ensure you bring 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature) to prove both residency and identity.
Do you own property in Central Saanich but live outside the municipality?
If so, you may qualify to vote as a non-resident property elector (NRPE) in the upcoming election.
Registering to Vote:
Non-resident property electors must register at the time of voting on one of the advanced or general voting days.
To help make the registration process easier, we are providing the required forms in advance so they can be completed and signed before you arrive at the voting place.
When registering to vote, you must provide:
A completed Application to Register as a Non-Resident Property Elector form (Form No. 7-2);
Two pieces of identification that provide evidence of your identity and residency, with at least 1 piece of documentation containing your signature; and
Proof of ownership of the property located in Central Saanich.
If there are two or more property owners, you must also submit:
A completed Non-Resident Property Elector Consent form (Form No. 7-3) signed by the majority of the property owners.
Please bring all completed forms and supporting documentation with you when you attend to vote.
What if I voted as a Non-Resident Property Elector in a previous election?
Unlike resident electors, non-resident property electors are not included on the Provincial Voters list that is used by the District, and therefore is not maintained between elections. If you wish to vote as a non-resident property elector in the 2026 General Local Election, you must complete the registration process again and provide all required forms and supporting documentation when you attend to vote.
Answers to common questions:
A person may vote only once in a local election, regardless of the number of properties owned.
If you are a resident of Central Saanich, you must vote as a resident elector, even if you own additional property in the municipality.
It is not necessary to be a property owner to register and vote as a resident elector.
There is no restriction to the number of Resident electors entitled to register and vote per household.
Corporations, businesses, and organizations are not entitled to register and vote in local government elections.
To vote as a resident elector, you must meet the following requirements:
- 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 District of Central Saanich; 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
If you are not on the Voter’s List, you will need, at the time of voting, to have two of the following identification documents showing residency and identity, and one must contain a signature:
- BC Driver’s Licence*
- BC Services Card*
- BC Identification Card
- a document certifying registration under the Indian Act
- a citizenship or membership card issued by a First Nation
- a citizenship card issued by Metis Nation BC
- a Citizenship Card
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- ICBC Certificate of Insurance
- tax notice
- credit card or debit card
- utility bill (water, electrical, gas)
*If you have a combined BC Driver’s Licence and Service Card, it counts as only one piece of identification.
To vote as a non-resident property elector, you must meet the following requirements:
- 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 District of Central Saanich for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration;
- the only persons who are registered owners of the property, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, are individuals who are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust;
- not entitled to register as a resident elector in the District of Central Saanich;
- 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.
A person may register as a non-resident property elector only in relation to one parcel of real property in a municipality. If the property is under joint or multiple ownership, only one individual may vote upon written consent of a majority of registered owners on title.
To register as a non-resident property elector at the time of voting, you will need:
- Proof of property ownership
- Two pieces of identification
- If applicable, written consent of a majority of the registered owners on title
Proof of Property Ownership
- 2026 Property tax notice/certificate
- 2026 Property assessment notice from BC Assessment
- 2026 State of Title Certificate
- 2026 Title Search
Identification
You will need to have two of the following identification documents showing residency and identity, and one must contain a signature:
- BC Driver’s Licence*
- BC Services Card*
- BC Identification Card
- a document certifying registration under the Indian Act
- a citizenship or membership card issued by a First Nation
- a citizenship card issued by Metis Nation BC
- a Citizenship Card
- Social Insurance Number (SIN)
- ICBC Certificate of Insurance
- tax notice
- credit card or debit card
- utility bill (water, electrical, gas)
*If you have a combined BC Driver’s Licence and Service Card, it counts as only one piece of identification.
The District provides the following options for electors requiring assistance with voting:
- Curbside voting: when parked at the voting place, an election official may bring a ballot to your car where you will be able to vote without leaving the car. The election official would ensure that the secrecy of the ballot is maintained and will immediately insert the ballot into the vote counting machine. It is recommended that you have someone drive you so that they can enter the voting place and get the attention of an election official.
- Voting station: an accessible voting station in the voting place provides for easy access for wheelchairs, scooters and other mobility aids.
- Assistance marking a ballot / translation: another person, such as an election official, friend, or relative may assist you with your ballot. The person assisting will be required to sign a solemn declaration that they will preserve the secrecy of the ballot and/or will make the translation to the best of their ability.
- Visual Aid: a magnifier sheet (7”x10”) is available to assist with vision impairment.
- Mail Ballots: you may apply to receive a mail ballot. It is the voter’s responsibility to ensure the ballot is returned to the Municipal Hall at 1903 Mount Newton Cross Road prior to 8:00 pm on Saturday October 17 , 2026.
On Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 8 am to 8 pm, the District of Central Saanich will hold general local elections for Mayor, Councillor, and School Trustee [School District No. 63 (Saanich), Trustee Electoral Area 3]. Mail ballot packages will be available beginning the last week of September 2026.
1. WHO CAN VOTE BY MAIL?
Any eligible voter in the District of Central Saanich may vote by mail.
2. HOW DO YOU KNOW IF YOU ARE AN ELIGIBLE VOTER?
You are allowed to vote if you are registered as:
• a resident elector (i.e., you live in the District of Central Saanich), OR
• a non-resident property elector (i.e., you live elsewhere in BC but you own property in the District of Central Saanich).
You must meet all of the following requirements to vote:
- 18 years of age or older on general voting day (October 17, 2026); and
- Canadian citizen; and
- Resident of British Columbia for at least six (6) months immediately before the day of registration; and
- Resident of the District of Central Saanich (for resident electors), OR own property (land) in the District of Central Saanich for at least 30 days immediately before you register to vote (for non-resident property electors); and
- Not disqualified by law from voting.
3. HOW DO YOU REGISTER TO VOTE?
You may register in advance with Elections BC (until August 18, 2026), or at the time of voting. If you are not registered when you request your mail ballot package, the appropriate voter registration application form will be included in your package.
4. REQUESTING A MAIL BALLOT PACKAGE
Before 4 pm on October 15, 2026, you must submit the mail ballot application form to the District of Central Saanich office (by mail, telephone, or email to elections@csaanich.ca).
Mail ballot application packages are mailed only to addresses within Canada. Electors who are outside Canada are responsible for arranging for a friend, family member, or other trusted person in Canada to receive the package and forward it to them by mail or courier at the elector's expense.
If you are not on the list of electors, to ensure you receive the correct registration application form in your package, you must indicate whether you are going to be registering as a resident or non-resident property elector.
The District of Central Saanich will send out mail ballot packages commencing on or about the last week of September 2026. To be counted for the election or other voting, your mail ballot must be received by the Chief Election Officer no later than 8 pm on October 17, 2026.
Contact Information
If you have any questions regarding the upcoming election, please contact:
Elections staff at elections@csaanich.ca.
For more information:
Visit the B.C. Government’s General Local Elections page and voter resources.