Elections and Electoral Approval

Candidate Nomination Information

Those running for office can find important information at www.gov.bc.ca/localelections.

Signs must not obscure travel lines of vision nor obstruct cyclists, pedestrians or traffic. Signs must not obstruct access to businesses, emergency vehicles or property. For specific rules and regulations please refer to Sign Bylaw No. 0250.

Signs cannot be placed within 100 metres of a polling station. See our maps of restricted areas around polling stations.

Financial

• Financial Disclosure Act
• Local Elections Campaign Financing
• Local Elections Campaign Financing Act

Municipal

• City of West Kelowna 2018 Budget
• Local Government Election Bylaw No. 0248
• Procedure Bylaw No. 0150 (bylaw under review)

Provincial

• Community Charter – Part 4 (Public Participation and Council Accountability)

• Elections BC

• Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act

• Interpretation Act

• Local Government Act: Part 3 – Electors and Elections

• Province of British Columbia Candidates Guide for Local Elections in British Columbia

• Resources for General Local Elections (Ministry of Municipal Affairs)
• Video series to help prospective candidates

Candidates' names, contact information and nomination forms can be found on our Candidates page.

You may find out more information regarding the School District No. 23 trustee election here.

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 British Columbia for at least six months before voting
• A resident living in the City of West Kelowna for at least 30 days before voting
• 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 British Columbia for at least six months before voting
• Have owned property within the City of West Kelowna for at least 30 days before voting
• 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.   

Resident Electors

Register to vote at the polling station on voting day.

You must provide two pieces of identification, one with a signature, that confirm 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 confirm 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.

• Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Westbank Lions Community Centre, 2466 Main Street, West Kelowna

• Open 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Constable Neil Bruce Middle School, 2010 Daimler Road, West Kelowna
  • Glenrosa Middle School, 3565 McIver Road, West Kelowna
  • Mar Jok Elementary School, 2101 McDougall Road, West Kelowna
  • Westbank Lions Community Centre, 2466 Main Street, West Kelowna

Between October 10 and 4:00 p.m. October 18, 2018, a mail ballot package will be available to applicants.

Please download and print the Application to Vote By Mail Form; submit completed forms using one of the options indicated in Bullet 3 at the beginning of the form.

You may arrange to vote by mail if:

• Disability, injury or chronic illness affects your ability to visit a polling station or
• You will be out of town on Advanced Voting Days and General Voting Day

We recommend that you contact an Election Official regarding your plans to vote by mail; email us or call 778-797-1000.

The City of West Kelowna makes every effort to ensure polling stations are accessible.

If you find that a polling station is difficult to access, curbside voting is available. Simply ask another voter to inform election staff of your need for assistance and election staff will bring your ballot to your vehicle.

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

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

Alternative Approval Processes And Referendums

Alternative Approval Processes

BC's Community Charter allows local governments to use an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to seek voter approval on a given item, most commonly in relation to 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 of the proposed action by the local government. If 10% or more of eligible voters submit forms in opposition, voter approval is not obtained and the AAP fails.

Referendums

A referendum is a popular vote used to obtain voter 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 or the public initiative 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 British Columbia, 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 Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development approves.

Election Laws

The Local Government Act, Chapter 323, Part 3 establishes the regulations for elections, electors, candidates and chief electoral officers. 

For further information see the City of West Kelowna Local Government Election Bylaw.

Past Election Results

• 2014 Local Government Election Results
• 2011 Local Government Election Results
• 2008 Local Government Election Results
• 2007 Local Government Election Results