2026 General Local Election

October 17 - 17, 2026 (8:00am - 8:00pm)

The City of Fernie will be using automated vote counting machines for the 2026 election. Voters will mark a paper ballot and have the option to feed their ballot into the machine themselves or have an election worker do it for them. For more information visit our 2026 General Local Election page. 

ELECTOR REGISTRATION

There is no need to pre-register to vote, as the registration of all electors for this election will take place at the time of voting.

To register at the time of voting, you will be required to complete the application form available at the voting place and make a declaration that you meet the applicable requirements set out below.

RESIDENT ELECTORS

To register as a resident elector, you must:

• be 18 years of age or older on general voting day, October 17, 2026;
• be a Canadian citizen;
• be a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting);
• be a resident of the City of Fernie on the day of registration (at time of voting); and
• not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law.

NON-RESIDENT PROPERTY ELECTORS

To register as a non-resident property elector, you must:

• be 18 years of age or older on general voting day, October 17, 2026;
• be a Canadian citizen;
• be a resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting);
• be a registered owner of real property in the City of Fernie for at least 30 days immediately before the day of registration (at time of voting);
• not be entitled to register as a resident elector; and
• not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or assent voting and not otherwise disqualified by law.

In addition, for non-resident property electors:

• The only persons who are registered owners of the property, either as joint tenants or tenants in common, are individuals who are not holding the property in trust for a corporation or another trust.
• If more than one person is a registered owner of the property, only one of those individuals may, with the written consent of the majority of the owners, register as a non-resident property elector.

IDENTIFICATION REQUIRED

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

Non-resident property electors must produce two (2) pieces of identification, at least one of which must contain 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.