2026 Local General Election
The next general local election will be held on October 17, 2026.
Lake Country residents will elect:
- 1 Mayor
- 2 Councillors at large
- 1 Councillor for each of Lake Country's 4 neighbourhood constituencies (wards) - Carr's Landing, Okanagan Centre, Oyama and Winfield.
Each local government is responsible for running its own local elections, including voting, counting, reporting results, and accepting candidate nominations. Elections BC is responsible for administering the campaign financing and election advertising rules in the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act. For more information visit the Ministry of Municipal Affairs' Elections webpage and Elections BC's website.
Thinking of running? The Provincial Government has produced a series of videos intended to help potential candidates better understand what is involved in serving as an elected leader.
Voters Guide for Electors Living on Reserve - BC Ministry of Municipal Affairs
Election Topics
Lake Country does not use a provincial voters list. You must register at the time of voting by providing 2 pieces of ID. Picture ID is not required. At least one piece of ID must contain your signature. The following documents can be used:
- Driver's License,
- BC ID Card
- BC Care Card
- SIN Card
- ICBC registration/insurance
- Citizenship Card
- Property Tax Notice
- Credit or debit card
- a utility bill
All candidates have expense limits that apply during the campaign period. Each election area and office has it's own limits, based on the office and population. The limits for the 2026 General Local Election will be published by by Elections BC by May 31, 2026.
For more information on campaign expense limits, visit the following:
Election advertising means any advertising that promotes or opposes a candidate.
Election advertising is regulated by Elections BC and Local Elections Campaign Financing Act (LECFA).
Advertising rules apply during:
- pre-campaign period, which begins on July 20, 2026
- campaign period, which begins September 19, 2026
Election advertising must include an Authorization Statement which must include:
- The words “authorized by”
- The name of the financial agent (or candidate if they are acting as their own financial agent)
- A BC Telephone number, BC mailing address or an email
e.g. Authorized by John Doe, 555-555-5555 - The name of the sponsor (if applicable)
- The words “registered sponsor under LECFA” (if applicable)
e.g. Authorized by XYZ Group, registered sponsor under LECFA, [email protected]
Local Third‑Party Advertising Sponsors must be registered with Elections BC before advertising.
Additional information:
- Should only be erected once nomination papers have been filed (September 1 to 11, 2026)
- Are considered Election Advertising
- Must include an Authorization Statement
- Do not require a permit from the District
- Can only be a maximum of 1.0m2 or 10.76 square feet

Election signs may:
- be placed on private property, with permission of the property owner
- be placed on Highway and District right of way as long as they do not, in any way, obstruct traffic or pedestrians.
Election signs must not :
- be within 100m of a polling station on voting days
- in any way, pose a hazard, interfere or obstruct traffic or pedestrians
- be placed or attached to a traffic control device, curb, sidewalk, post, pole, hydrant, median, bridge or tree
REMOVAL OF SIGNS
Signs must be removed by owners the day after General Voting Day, October 18, 2026 or they will be removed by the District and the owner will be invoiced for the cost of removal.
Signs in contravention of the rules be removed by the District and the owner will be informed of the reasons for removal.
Candidates or sign owners are responsible for complying with all applicable legislation, bylaws and advertising rules.
Additional information:
- District of Lake Country Signage Bylaw 501, 2004
- Election Signs on Highway Rights-of-Way
| Title | Date | Information |
|---|---|---|
| Election Period | January 1 to September 18, 2026 | Campaigns must report all expenses incurred during this time period. |
| Nomination Period | September 1 to September 11, 2026 | Begins at 9 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. on September 11th |
| Mail Ballot Voting | September 25 to October 17, 2026 | Mail ballots may be submitted |
| Mail Ballot Packages Available | TBD | Packages can be picked up or mailed. |
| Campaign Period | September 19 to October 17, 2026 | Candidate and third party expense limits apply. |
| Advance Voting Day | October 7, 2026 | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lake Country Municipal Hall, 10150 Bottom Wood Lake Road |
| Advance Voting Day | October 13, 2026 | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lake Country Municipal Hall, 10150 Bottom Wood Lake Road |
| General Voting Day | October 17, 2026 | 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at George Elliott Secondary School - 10241 Bottom Wood Lake Road |
| File campaign financing disclosure statements | January 15, 2027 | Deadline to file campaign financing disclosure statements with Elections BC |
| Deadline to file late campaign financing disclosure statements | February 14, 2027 | Late fee of $500 |
Any qualified elector or non-resident property electors may request a mail ballot package.
Mail Ballot Application forms will be available in early September until October 15, 2026.
Mail ballot packages will be delivered as soon as the ballots are printed in late September after the nomination period.
Mail ballot packages can be picked up at the Municipal Hall by the applicant or an authorized person, sent via Canada Post to a residential address or couriered at the expense of the applicant.
It is the applicants responsibility to ensure the completed ballot is received by the Chief Election Officer at the Municipal Hall or voting location no later than 8:00 p.m. on general voting day Saturday October 17, 2026.
You can mail or courier the completed ballot package to the District of Lake Country at 10150 Bottom Wood Lake Road, Lake Country, BC V4V 2M1 or drop it off at the District of Lake Country office.
If you own property in the District of Lake Country but reside elsewhere in BC, you may qualify to register and vote as a non-resident property elector in the upcoming election.
Only 1 person registered on title may vote per property AND that person requires written consent from a majority of all others listed on title in order to vote.
If you own more than one property in the District of Lake Country, you can only register for one of the parcels.
If a company, corporation or trust is registered on title, no individual is eligible to vote as a non-resident property elector for that property.
Non-resident property electors must be:
- 18 years of age or older on general voting day
- a Canadian Citizen
- a resident of BC for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration
- the registered owner of real property for at least 30 days before the date of registration
- Not disqualified from voting under the Local Government Act or any other piece of legislation.
How do I register to vote as a Non-Resident Property Elector?
- complete and submit an application form (coming soon)
- provide written consent if 2 or more property owners are registered on title
- provide 2 pieces of ID proving identity and residency (see acceptable identification)
- submit proof of ownership of the real property located in the District of Lake Country
Note: ID proving identity and residency can also be used as proof of ownership.
You can register in advance at the District of Lake Country offices or at the time you are voting.
Stay tuned...
You must be a resident of Lake Country or a non-resident property elector. To vote as a resident of Lake Country you must be:
- 18 years of age or older on general voting day
- a Canadian Citizen
- a resident of BC for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration
- a resident of the District of Lake Country
not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law.
To vote as a non-resident property elector, you must be:
- 18 years of age or older on general voting day
- a Canadian Citizen
- a resident of BC for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration
- an owner of real property in the District of Lake Country for at least 30 days immediately before general voting day