2026 General Local Election

On Saturday, October 17, 2026, residents of the City of Fernie will vote to elect:

  • One (1) Mayor
  • Six (6) Councillors; and
  • One (1) School Trustee for School District No. 5 (Southeast Kootenay).

The elected officials will serve a four-year term from November 2026 to November 2030.

Thinking of Running for Local Office?

To help those considering to represent Fernie and run for office and for nomination forms and package, please see our information page Candidates Information.

Candidate Resources:

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: 

More information to follow or contact the Chief Election Officer.

General election resources:

Am I eligible to vote?  

Pre-registration is not needed to vote in the 2026 Local General Election. 

To be qualified to vote, you will be required to make a declaration, when you vote, that you meet the following requirements:

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

Resident electors must produce 2 pieces of identification (at least one with a signature). 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 and where 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! 

All Advance and General voting opportunities will be open to qualified electors at the Fernie Senior Citizens Drop-In Centre (562 - 3rd Avenue).

Mail Ballot Voting 

Eligible resident and non-resident electors are allowed to vote by mail. If you are not able to attend any of the voting opportunities available in-person, please reach out to the Chief Election Officer for further information on mail ballot voting.

City Notices

Notice of Nomination

Have questions? 

Kevin Allen, Chief Election Officer 

Phone: 250-946-7138

Email: electionsofficer@fernie.ca

Lavinia McElwee, Deputy Chief Election Officer

Tricia Fichter, Deputy Chief Election Officer