Elections and Electoral Approval | City of West Kelowna

General local election day in the City of West Kelowna is Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.

Important dates

See the full calendar

General voting day

Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.

Advance voting days

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026.

Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026.

Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026.

Nomination packages available

TBD - coming soon.

Pre-campaign period begins

Monday, July 20, 2026.

Nomination period

9 a.m., Tuesday, Sept. 1, 2026, to 4 p.m., Friday, Sept. 11, 2026.

Declaration of candidates

Friday, Sept. 11, 2026, after 4 p.m.

Last Day to withdraw candidacy

Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, by 4 p.m.

Pre-campaign period ends

Friday, Sept. 18, 2026.

Campaign period

12:01 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, 2026, to 11:59 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.

Declaration of Election by Voting or Acclamation

Monday, Sept. 21, 2026, after 4 p.m.

Mail ballot voting deadline

Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, before 8 p.m.

Announcement of preliminary election results

Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, after 8 p.m.

Elected officials' oath of office and inaugural meeting

Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. at the City of West Kelowna Council Chambers.

Information For candidates and registered campaigns

Nomination information

More information coming soon.

Election sign guidelines

Signs may be posted during the election period, beginning with the start of the nomination period and ending on the day following general voting day so long as form and placement comply with Sign Bylaw No. 0250.

Signs must not:

Obscure travel lines of vision nor obstruct cyclists, pedestrians nor traffic.
Obstruct access to businesses, emergency vehicles or property.
Be placed within 100 meters of a polling station.

Important links

Financial

Municipal

Provincial

Information for electors

Voter qualifications. Who is eligible to vote?

Electors who live in the City of West Kelowna - resident electors

You are eligible to vote as a resident elector if you are:

18 years of age or older on voting day.
A Canadian citizen.
A resident living in B.C. for at least six months before voting, April 16, 2026.
Not disqualified from voting due to an election offence.
Not ineligible to vote for other reasons such as elections offences.

Electors who own property in West Kelowna but live in another jurisdiction - non-resident electors

You may vote as a non-resident elector if you:

Are 18 years of age or older on voting day.
Are a Canadian citizen.
Are not a resident in the City of West Kelowna.
Are not ineligible to vote for other reasons such as elections offences.
Have lived in B.C. for at least six months before voting, since April 16, 2026.
Have owned property within the City of West Kelowna for at least 30 days before voting, Sept. 16, 2026.
Have written consent from the majority of the property's co-owners to vote as the non-resident elector:
- Proof is required using the Non-resident Elector Consent Form.
- Bring the form to the polling station when voting; or obtain the form from the polling station and return to vote with the completed and signed document.

Voter registration. How do I register?

Resident electors

Register to vote at the polling station on voting day.
You must provide two pieces of identification, one with a signature, that confirms who you are and where you presently live.

Non-resident electors

Register to vote at the polling station on voting day.
You must provide two pieces of identification, one with a signature, that confirms who you are and where you presently live.
You must provide written consent from the majority of the property's co-owners to vote as the non-resident elector:
- Bring the completed and signed Non-resident Elector Consent Form when you arrive to vote at the polling station;
- Or obtain the form from the polling station and return to vote with the completed and signed document.

Accepted identification

· Voters must present at least two pieces of acceptable identification at the voting station that show proof of identity and place of residence. At least one of the two forms of ID must contain a signature:

B.C. Driver's Licence.
B.C. Identification Card.
B.C. Services Card - BCID.
Another card issued by the Government of B.C. or Canada that shows your name and address.
Credit card.
Debit card.
Canadian passport.
City of West Kelowna property tax notice.
Certificate of Canadian citizenship.
Government-issued military identification card.
Firearms possession and acquisition licence.
Certificate of Indigenous status.
Current City of West Kelowna utility bill with the elector's name and address.
Owner's certificate of insurance and vehicle licence as issued by ICBC.
Other documents sufficient to satisfy the Chief Election Officer.

Voting - dates. When and where can I vote?

Eligible voters can vote at any West Kelowna polling station.

All opportunities will be from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

There will be three advance voting opportunities in the City of West Kelowna Council Chambers at 3731 Old Okanagan Highway, West Kelowna, B.C., V4T 0G7 on the following dates:

Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026.
Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2026.
Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026.

General Voting Day is Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, at the following locations:

City of West Kelowna Council Chambers - 3731 Old Okanagan Highway.
Constable Neil Bruce Middle School - 2010 Daimler Drive.
Hudson Road Elementary School - 1221 Hudson Road.
Glenrosa Elementary School - 3430 Webber Road.

Voting - mail ballot information.

More information coming soon.

Voting - mobility and other assistance.

The City of West Kelowna makes every effort to ensure polling stations are accessible. Regardless of the assistance you need, please check with elections staff to ensure we accommodate you.

Here are examples of how elections staff and the polling station can facilitate assistance:

Assistance marking ballots

If you are unable to mark your own ballot, you may ask a relative, friend or election staff to assist you.

Curbside voting

If you find that a polling station is difficult to access, curbside voting is available. Phone the number on the sign located at the polling station or ask another voter to inform election staff of your need for assistance. Election staff will bring your ballot to your vehicle.

Interpreters

If you require an interpreter, please bring one with you to the polling station.

Chief and deputy chief election officers

Chief election officer: Polly Palmer.
Deputy chief election officer: Mark Panneton.
Deputy chief election officer: Rebecca Narinesingh.

Past election results

Official results

About Elections and Electoral Approval

Part 3 of the Local Government Act establishes the regulations for elections, electors, candidates and any of their agents, and chief electoral officers.

General local elections are held every four years. The last was held on Oct. 15, 2022. The next will be held Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.

During the four-year term, if a council member is unable to fulfill their duties and resigns their post, the Local Government Act allows for a by-election to be held prior to the next election date, if required.

Additional procedures and regulations are also outlined in the City of West Kelowna Local Government Election Bylaw 0248.

In the case of a general local election or a by-election, the City of West Kelowna must follow specified guidelines to advertise the process to eligible candidates and voters. In addition to these specified guidelines, the City of West Kelowna makes information available:

On its website.
Through e-notifications to subscribers.
On its social media pages - Facebook, Instagram and X.
By distribution of public service announcements and/or news releases to media sources.
Via digital and/or print advertising and/or publications.
Using additional methods that may be recommended, requested or required.

B.C.'s Community Charter allows local governments to use an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) as one means of seeking voter assent on a proposal, most commonly in matters involving long-term borrowing.

An AAP is an alternative to a referendum, which is costlier to taxpayers and involves a lengthier process.

The AAP allows voters 30 days to submit an elector response form in opposition to the local government's proposal. If 10 per cent or more of eligible voters submit forms indicating their opposition to the proposal, then elector assent is not obtained and the AAP fails.

The City of West Kelowna is required to follow specified guidelines to advertise the AAP process to eligible voters and, in addition to the specified guidelines, the city ensures the process is transparent and well communicated through:

Its website
Notifications to subscribers.
Social media pages - Facebook, Instagram and X.
Distribution of public service announcements and/or news releases to media.
Digital and/or print advertising and/or publications.
Other means that may be recommended, requested or required.

A referendum is a popular vote used to obtain electoral approval on a matter being proposed by a legislative body.

Typically voters are presented with a single question on a matter in which the legislative body has the authority to act.

A referendum can be binding or non-binding depending on the matter at hand. If a referendum is binding, a government must carry out the decision of the electorate; if a referendum is non-binding, the government can take the ruling of the electorate into consideration in making its decision.

In B.C., a binding referendum must be held on a significant issue such as incorporation, certain bylaws and disposal of public assets. A non-binding referendum can be held on important matters where a municipal council may be interested in knowing how a community stands on a particular issue and where the results may be helpful to elected officials looking to make a final decision on a pressing or polarizing issue.

Assent of the electors is obtained when a majority of valid votes are found to be in favour of the bylaw or question. If the bylaw or question fails to obtain the majority assent of the electors, then a local government must wait six months before it is permitted to hold another referendum on the same question or bylaw, provided that the Province of B.C. approves.

The City of West Kelowna is required to follow specified guidelines to advertise a referendum process to eligible voters. In addition to these specified guidelines, the City of West Kelowna ensures transparency and makes information available to our community:

On its website.
Through e-notifications to subscribers.
On its social media pages - Facebook, Instagram and X.
Through distribution of public service announcements and/or news releases to media.
Digital and/or print advertising and/or publications.
Other means that may be recommended, requested or required.