Voter Information

• Resident Electors

  Resident Electors are:

  • 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day
  • A Canadian citizen
  • A resident of BC for at least six (6) months before voting day (April 16, 2026)
  • A resident of the City of Nanaimo
  • Not disqualified from voting by any statute or law

• Non-Resident Property Electors

  Non-Resident Property Electors (NRPEs) are:

  • Not eligible to register as a resident elector in the City of Nanaimo
  • 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day
  • A Canadian citizen
  • A resident of BC for at least six (6) months before registering to vote (April 16, 2026)
  • A property owner in the City of Nanaimo for at least 30 days before registering to vote (September 16, 2026)
  • Not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust
  • Not disqualified from voting by any statute or law

  Note: If more than one person owns the property, only one owner may vote. A Consent Form signed by a majority of property owners must be brought to the voting location, along with proof of ownership. New NRPEs will be required to register in person on voting day. 

• Vote during advance voting

  Advance voting days:

  • Wednesday, October 7 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm
  • Wednesday, October 14 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm

  Check back soon for information on voting locations.

   

• Vote on election day Oct. 17

  General Voting Day happens on Saturday, October 17 from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

  Check back soon for information on voting locations.

• Vote by mail

  You can choose to vote by mail ballot instead of voting in person. Ballots must be received by the Chief Election Officer by 8:00 pm on October 17, 2026.

  To request a mail ballot, you will need to submit an application to vote by mail (available September 2026). The application and additional information will be available on the City’s election webpage and for pick-up at the Legislative Services Office closer to the election.

• Check that you are eligible to vote

  Confirm eligibility criteria for Resident Electors or Non-Resident Property Electors under the "Who can vote" section on this webpage.

• Register in advance to save time

  The City of Nanaimo gets its voters list from Elections BC. Registering in advance of August 2026 will ensure your name appears on the City's voters list and save you time at the voting location.

  Visit the Elections BC website to register to vote. 
  

  You can also register in person at a voting location or when requesting a mail ballot package.  Please ensure you bring proper documentation if you plan to register at a voting location. 

• Bring two pieces of ID to register at a voting location

  As per provincial legislation, if you are registered in advance to vote you will not be required to present documentation at the voting location. A declaration is required to receive a ballot.

  New or unregistered voters, or anyone needing to update their personal information, will need two (2) pieces of valid documentation to prove who you are and where you live. One of these must include your signature. 

  Examples include:

  • BC Driver's Licence
  • BC Identification Card issued by ICBC
  • BC Services Card
  • A document issued by the Government of Canada that certifies registration under the Indian Act (e.g. Status Card)
  • Citizenship or membership card issued by a First Nation or Metis Nation BC
  • Owner's Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle License issued by ICBC
  • BC CareCard
  • Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security Request for Continued Assistance Form SDES8 (monthly report HR0081)
  • Social Insurance Card
  • Canadian passport or Citizenship Card
  • Property tax notice issued by the City of Nanaimo
  • Credit or debit card
  • Utility bill (electricity, natural gas, water, telephone or cable service)
  • Student card

  If you are not able to provide documentation that confirms your place of residence, you may make a solemn declaration when you present two (2) pieces of documentation that confirm your identity, one of which must include your signature.

Accessibility at voting locations

• If you require a translator

  You may bring a translator to help you at the voting location if you need assistance. The translator will be required to complete a declaration in order to provide assistance.

• If you require help marking your ballot

  An election official or a person accompanying you may help you mark your ballot if you require assistance inside a voting location due to a disability or challenges with reading or writing. If you bring someone to assist you, they will be required to complete a declaration in order to provide assistance. 

• If you aren't physically able to enter a voting location

  A ballot can be brought out to you for curbside voting if you have difficulty entering a voting location due to a physical disability or impaired mobility. 

  When you arrive at the voting location, you can call the contact number that will be available in the parking lot or someone accompanying you can notify the Presiding Election Official about the request for curbside voting.