Elections

View the statement of persons nominated at this link.

The District has received the following nominations, in alphabetical order:

• Elections BC – 2026 General Local Elections
  Find key dates, voting options, and information on voter eligibility for the upcoming election.

• Local Elections FAQs
  Answers to common questions about registration, identification, voting by mail, and more.

Campaign Material & Signage

Campaign signs are permitted in the District of Sooke provided they are removed within three days following an election. See the District's Sign Regulation Bylaw for more information or download a combined PDF with the District of Sooke's Code of Conduct, Election Procedures Bylaw, and Signs Bylaw (including Traffic Bylaw for Signs on District Roadways) here.

On voting days, during voting hours, the following is not permitted within 100 metres of a voting place:

• Canvassing, soliciting or otherwise attempting to influence how someone votes.
• Displaying, distributing, posting or leaving campaign material.
• Carrying, wearing, or displaying a flag, badge, sign, or other item indicating support for a candidate or elector organization.

See Local Government Act (s.163) for more information.

Voting Place Maps (100m Radius)

• Edward Milne Community School
• District of Sooke Municipal Hall
• Ayre Manor (Special Voting Opportunity for Ayre Manor residents only)

Please remember that other organizations may have their own rules that you need to follow. For example, the District of Sooke does not place additional restrictions on poles owned by BC Hydro, but BC Hydro do. The District does not enforce rules made by external organizations, but if you are using somebody else's land, objects, or resources, their rules may apply to you, and you should investigate that before you take actions.

Additional Resources

• Local Government Elections – Province of BC
  Learn about nomination rules, candidate eligibility, and the role of local governments in elections.

• Elections BC – Campaign Financing and Advertising
  Understand campaign financing requirements and third-party advertising rules under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.

• Local Guides
  Information from Elections BC including the Candidate's Handbook, and various Guides for Local Elections Campaign Financing in BC

Notice regarding Advance Voter registration, Voter roll inspection, and seeking candidates

For information: Voters at the District of Sooke can either register at the time of voting, or can register in advance. Voter registration in advance can no longer be done, and any eligible voter who is not already registered must register at the time of voting.

The District was required to post notice about the closure of advance voting. Unfortunately, due to a technical error at the Sooke News Mirror, the notice provided was not published. Notice was published in the Victoria Times Colonist, on our website, and at District Hall, along with a subsequent edition of the News Mirror, and the BC Government issued a Ministerial Order (2026-334) exempting the District from the requirement to post advance notice of the close of the register.

Notice regarding Election by Voting

The District of Sooke is responsible for administering the local election process in accordance with provincial legislation. This includes appointing a Chief Election Officer, managing voting opportunities, receiving nomination papers, and declaring official results.

The District does not regulate or monitor candidate campaigns, advertisements, or election spending. These matters fall under the jurisdiction of Elections BC.

Most dates for the General Election are set in Provincial law.

Under the Local Government Act, General Voting day will be on October 17, 2026.

Under the same Act, Nominations must open at 9am on September 1st, 2026, and close at 4pm on September 11th, 2026.

Advance Voting is anticipated to take place on Wednesday October 14th, Saturday October 10th, and Wednesday October 7th.

Candidate nomination packages will be available from the District of Sooke during the official nomination period (usually in late summer before the election).

The package includes eligibility information, required forms, and submission instructions.

Completed nomination documents must be submitted to the Chief Election Officer within the official nomination window (9am on September 1 to 4pm on September 11)

The District anticipates that nomination packages will be available starting in August 2026. Nominations cannot be accepted by the District until 9am on September 1st, 2026.

Campaign financing is regulated by Elections BC. If you are opening a campaign bank account and they are requesting nomination papers, please see the Elections BC bank account reference sheet, and their letter to financial institutions.

During the official nomination period, the District of Sooke will post a list of all candidates who have submitted nomination papers and been declared for office.

• Candidate names, declared positions, and contact information (if provided by the candidate) will be published on this page and in local notices.
• The District cannot endorse or promote individual candidates and will not link to campaign websites or social media accounts.

Residents are encouraged to attend community-hosted all-candidates meetings or review information shared directly by the candidates.

All-candidates meetings are not organized by the District. They are typically hosted by community groups such as the Sooke Region Chamber of Commerce, Sooke Multi-Belief Initiative, or other local organizations.

Event details will be shared publicly by the hosting groups through their own communication channels (for example, their websites, social media, or local news).

All voting opportunities — including advance voting days, mail-ballot options, and general voting day locations — will be published on the District’s website and in local advertising once they are confirmed by the Chief Election Officer.

Yes. Non-resident property electors may be eligible to vote if they meet the criteria outlined in the Local Government Act.

Only one registered owner of the property may vote, and consent from the majority of other owners is required.

Application details will be available once the 2026 election period begins.

Voters are asked to bring two pieces of identification that prove both identity and residency.

At least one piece must include a signature. Examples include a BC Driver’s Licence, BCID, utility bill, or property tax notice.

Preliminary results will be announced after polls close on general voting day and posted to the District’s website.

Official results will be declared by the Chief Election Officer after all ballots are verified — typically within a few days.

Chief Election Officer
District of Sooke
2205 Otter Point Road, Sooke, BC V9Z 1J2
Email: elections@sooke.ca
Phone: 250-642-1634

The District of Sooke hosted a candidate information session on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, for individuals interested in running in the 2026 General Local Election.

The session covered the role of elected officials, the election process, candidate responsibilities, nomination requirements, key dates, the respective roles of Council and staff, and practical considerations for prospective candidates.

Councillor Sara Duncan from the Town of Sidney also shared reflections on her experience serving as an elected official.

A recording of the session is now available on the District's YouTube channel .

Section 86 of the Local Government Act sets the default as two qualified nominators. "Qualified nominator" means someone who is an elector of the District of Sooke. The District of Sooke has not varied the requirement from the Act, therefore only two qualified nominees are required.

An individual nominator may nominate as many candidates as they are persons to be elected. This means that a single qualified nominator may nominate one candidate for Mayor, and up to six candidates for Council.