2026 General Local Election

On Saturday, October 17, 2026, Fernie residents will vote to elect 1 mayor and 6 councillors. The elected mayor and councillors will serve a four-year term from November 2026 to November 2030.

Elections BC 

Thinking of Running for Office?

To help those considering running for office please see the Elections BC Handbook for Local Candidates.

Voter Information

Voting will be open to qualified electors at the Fernie Senior Citizens Drop-In Centre (562 - 3rd Avenue).

General Voting Day:

  • Saturday, October 17- 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

Advance Voting Days:

  • Wednesday, October 7 - 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Wednesday, October 14 - 8:00 am - 8:00 pm

 Special Voting Opportunity: 

TBD

Am I eligible to vote?  

Pre-registration is not needed to vote in the 2022 Local General Election. To be qualified to vote, you will be required to make a declaration that you meet the following requirements:

  • 18 years of age or older on general voting day
  • Canadian citizen
  • resident of BC for at least 6 months immediately preceding the day of registration
  • resident of OR registered owner of real property in the City of Fernie for at least 30 days immediately preceding the day of registration, and
  • not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law.

Resident electors must produce 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature). Picture identification is not necessary. The identification must prove both residency and identity.

Non-resident property electors must produce 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature) to prove identity, proof that they are entitled to register in relation to the property, and, if there is more than one owner of the property, written consent from the majority of the property owners.

How will I vote? 

The City of Fernie will be using automated vote counting machines for the 2026 election. Using vote counting machines will significantly reduce the wait time to learn election results! 

Mail Ballot Voting 

Qualified electors may vote by mail if they:

  • have a physical disability, illness or injury that affects their ability to vote at another voting opportunity, OR
  • expect to be absent from the City of Fernie on general voting day and at the times of all advance voting opportunities.

To request a mail ballot, qualified electors must submit the following information to the Chief Election Officer’s office before 4:00 pm on ___________________ by: 

Have questions? 

Chief Election Officer: 

electionsofficer@fernie.ca