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Candidate FAQs

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1. Can I run for office?

If you meet the following requirements, you may be nominated to run for Electoral Area Director:

• will be at least 18 years old on voting day
• are a Canadian citizen
• have lived in British Columbia for at least 6 months
• have not been disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or from being nominated for, being elected to or holding the office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

Who is NOT eligible

You are not eligible to run as Electoral Area Director if you:

• are a judge of the Court of Appeal, Supreme Court or Provincial Court
• are an employee, salaried officer or paid volunteer of the regional district unless you have taken a leave of absence and agree to resign if elected
• have been disqualified for failing to file a candidate disclosure statement, make an oath of office or attend requisite number of meetings
• have been convicted of an indictable offence and are in custody
• are involuntarily committed to a psychiatric or other institution.

2. Do I need to complete a nomination package? Is there a fee?

Yes. You must fill out the required candidate nomination forms. Nomination papers will be available to download or pick up from the CSRD Office once available.

There is no nomination fee.

3. When can I be nominated as a candidate in the election?

The nomination period begins on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at 9 AM and ends on Friday, September 9, 2022 at 4 PM.

4. Can I run for office if I work for the local government holding the election?

No. There is a specific restriction against both working for, and holding office in, the same local government. However, if you were to take a leave of absence from your job, you could run in the election. If elected, you would have to resign your job.

5. Can I run for office in a regional district electoral area if I work for a municipality that is a member of the regional district?

Yes.  In such an instance, if elected, you could be vulnerable to allegations of conflict of interest because of your employment. 

6. Can I run for office in a municipality if the municipality is a member of the regional district I work for?

Yes. Although it might not be wise. If elected you could be vulnerable to allegations of conflict of interest because of your employment. 

7. I work on contract for a local government. Can I run for office in that local government?

It depends on whether you are considered to be an employee of the local government despite your contract. Check with the CSRD Chief Election Officer. You may want to consider whether your contract could expose you to allegations of conflict of interest while serving as an elected representative.

8. Can I run for both councillor or electoral area director and school board trustee?

Yes. The only restriction is that you cannot run for, or hold, two offices in the same local government. In other words, you can't run for both mayor and councillor.

9. When can I start campaigning?

Whenever you like. Just make sure you record all your election contributions and expenses for the disclosure statement you must file within 120 days after voting day. The same applies to elector organizations and candidates alike.

10. Who can help me run my election campaign?

All candidates must appoint a financial agent. Some appoint an official agent, scrutineers and volunteers to help with the election campaign. Some candidates may also be endorsed by an elector organization.

11. Where can I get some information on campaign financing disclosure requirements?

For information on campaign financing disclosures requirements, Elections BC has published a guide.

12. How many people need to nominate me to run for office?

The minimum number of people is two, but it's wise to have more in case it turns out that one of them is not an eligible nominator.

13. Can the public view my nomination documents?

Yes. You may view a candidate’s nomination documents from the time they were submitted to the local government until 30 days following the declaration of results at the CSRD office or on this website.

14. If I don't win the election, do I still have to file disclosure documents?

Yes. You must file a candidate disclosure statement even if you were not elected.

15. Can the public view my campaign financing disclosure statement?

Yes. They will be available on the Elections BC website.

16. Can I, or my elector organization have campaign signs at the voting place on voting day?

No. There can be no campaign material (signs, buttons, brochures, etc.) within 100 metres of a voting place or advance voting opportunity.

17. Can I, or my elector organization advertise on the day of the election?

No. There can be no campaign material (signs, buttons, brochures, etc.) within 100 metres of a voting place or advance voting opportunity.

18. What if I decide I don't want to run for office after I've put in my nomination papers?

You may withdraw as a candidate until 4 PM on the 29th day before voting day (Friday, September 16, 2022). At the time of filing nomination papers, candidates must sign a declaration that they fully intend to accept the office if elected.

19. What is an elector organization?

An elector organization promotes a candidate, group of candidates or a point of view during a local election in one or more jurisdictions. Elector organizations are also known as civic political parties. An elector organization must have a membership of 50 or more eligible electors when the endorsement is made. Further information about elector organizations can be found on Elections BC website.

20. What happens if I don’t comply with all of the election rules?

You could be disqualified from office if you do not file a candidate disclosure statement and/or take the oath of office following the general local election. There are also significant penalties for failing to comply with the campaign financing and election advertising rules in the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (LECFA, the Act). Including possible fines and/or imprisonment.

21. Where can I get answers to questions about election advertising, third party sponsors and campaign financing?

You can get answers to questions about election advertising, third party sponsors and campaign financing by contacting Elections BC.