Voting in Chilliwack

See Attachment Below

See Attachment Below

See Attachment Below

Please click here to review FAQs from Elections BC

The administration of local elections is a shared responsibility between local governments and Elections BC. 

The process and rules for administering general local elections also largely apply to by-elections to fill vacancies between general local elections, as well as to assent voting events (referendum).

Learn more about Election Administration

Learn more about Elections BC

CivicInfo BC

Provincial legislation gives eligible B.C. residents the right to vote in general local elections and by-elections. This right is subject to certain restrictions, limitations and requirements. Local governments must also ensure access to voting through various options, such as advance voting.

Citizens are granted voting rights based on residency or property ownership. Corporations and businesses cannot vote in local elections.

Resident electors

In order to be eligible to vote in general local elections or by-elections as a resident or non-resident property elector, a person must:

• Be 18 years of age or older when they register to vote, or 18 years or older on general voting day;
• Be a Canadian citizen;
• Have been a resident of BC for at least six months immediately before they register to vote;
• Be a resident of the municipality or electoral area on the day they register to vote; and,
• Not be disqualified under the Local Government Act, or any other enactment, from voting in local elections or be otherwise disqualified by law.

Eligible electors who live on a First Nation reserve can vote. Who that person can vote for depends on whether the reserve is within the jurisdiction of a municipality (Mayor, Councillor, School Trustee and Parks Board Commissioner) or a regional district (School Trustee).

Non-resident property electors

When a person lives in one jurisdiction and owns property in one or more other jurisdictions, they may vote once in each of the other jurisdictions where they own property - as long as they meet the voter eligibility requirements.

A non-resident property elector must:

• Be 18 years of age or older when they register to vote, or 18 years or older on general voting day;
• Be a Canadian citizen;
• Have been a resident of BC for at least six months immediately before they register to vote;
• Be the registered owner of real property in the jurisdiction where they intend to vote for at least 30 days immediately before they register to vote; and,
• Not be disqualified under the Local Government Act, or any other enactment, from voting in local elections or be otherwise disqualified by law.

If a person owns a property with one or more other individuals, only one person is eligible to vote as the non-resident property elector for that property. The owner entitled to vote must be designated in writing by a majority of the property owners.

A person cannot vote on behalf of a corporation, or as a non-resident property elector, based on a property owned wholly or in part by a corporation.

Additional requirements

• Must not be entitled to vote as a resident elector in the jurisdiction
• For School Trustee elections, electors must vote where they are residents, unless they are not residents of ANY Trustee Area of that School District.
• All registered owners must be individuals. If a corporation is registered on title, none of the owners are eligible to vote as a NRPE.
• Can only register to vote in relation to one parcel of real property in the jurisdiction.
• Must hold one of the following interests in the real property:
  • Owner of a registered estate in fee simple
  • Holder of the last registered agreement for sale
  • Tenant for life under a registered life interest
  • Holder of a registered lease for a term of at least 99 years
  • Cultus Lake Park Leaseholders – a lease for a building site for a private or public use in Cultus     Lake Park for a period not exceeding 21 years.
• If there is more than one individual who is a registered owner, only one of those owners may register to vote as an NRPE on behalf of that property. That person must obtain written consent from a majority of the individuals on title (including the person registering to vote).

You can obtain consent forms before voting from our website or by contacting [email protected]; they will also be available at voting locations.

Voters Living on Reserve

Eligible Indigenous and non-Indigenous electors living on Reserve are entitled to vote in general local elections. You may be eligible to vote in a regional district electoral area election if you live in an area not included within a municipal boundary. Essentially, where that person votes depends on whether the Reserve overlaps with or is adjacent to a municipality or regional district boundary.

• Learn more about how electors living on Reserve vote in local elections
• Voter's Guide for Electors Living on Reserve Brochure (waiting for updated version)

Students

Students who live in one jurisdiction and attend an educational institution in a jurisdiction different from their usual place of residence may vote only once--either in the jurisdiction where they attend school or in the jurisdiction that is their usual place of residence.

Voter Ineligibility

Resident electors and non-resident property electors are not eligible to vote in a local election if they:

• Have been convicted and sentenced for an indictable offence and are in custody; 
• Have been found guilty of an election offence, such as intimidation or vote-buying; or,
• Do not otherwise meet voter eligibility requirements.

Voter's Guide to Local Elections in B.C. (PDF, 386KB)

Applying for a Mail Ballot Package

You can request mail ballot packages from September 1, 2026, at 9:00 am through October 14, 2026, at 4:00 pm.

Important:

Mail ballot packages will be available for pickup at City Hall or mailed to voters during the week of September 28, 2026. Voters requesting a package for pickup must wait for email confirmation that their package is ready before coming to City Hall.

Requesting your mail ballot package

You must complete the online request process to request a mail ballot package. If you need help, please contact the City’s Legislative Services Department at
604-793-2986.

APPLY HERE

Picking up your Mail Ballot Package

We recommend that you pick up your mail ballot package in person and return it directly to the City’s drop box. This helps ensure your ballot is received on time.

Voters are responsible for ensuring the mail ballot is received by 8:00 pm on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Anyone picking up a package for someone else, including spouses picking up on behalf of one another, must have prior authorization from the intended recipient. If you have not provided authorization online, the package will not be released. 

If you are picking up a mail ballot package for another person, you must:        

•     Provide written authorization from the elector; and,

•     Provide two pieces of identification, including one with a photo.

The person picking up the package must present the same identification that was provided by the elector when they were appointed as the elector’s representative.

Returning your completed Mail Ballot Package

Completed mail ballot packages may be returned:

•         In person at City Hall, 8550 Young Road, during regular business hours Monday to   Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, excluding holidays;

•         By using the City Hall drop boxes, which are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a   week, or,

•         By mailing the return envelope to the address shown on the envelope.

The drop box will remain open until 8:00 pm on General Voting Day.

Proof of Identity and Residency

Pre-registration is not required to vote, and voting cards will not be distributed. Individuals must register when they vote.

Voter registration (Same Day Registration Only)

The City of Chilliwack use same-day voter registration.

On voting day, eligible resident electors must present two pieces of identification.

Identification must prove the person's identity and where you live, including their name and residential address. If neither piece of identification shows the elector's residential address, they may make a solemn declaration as to their place of residence.

Note: the BC Services Card, when combined with a Driver’s Licence, is considered one piece of identification.

Non-resident property electors

Non-resident property electors must provide proof of identity and where they live.

You must also provide the address or legal description and the title certificate (or other proof of ownership) for the property you own and demonstrate that you have written consent of the majority of all owners to vote as the non-resident property elector when you own a property with another person(s). 

Identification Requirements

Bring two pieces of identification that, together, show who you are and where you live. At least one piece of identification must include your signature.

A Driver's Licence and Care Card combined only count as 'one piece' of identification. 

Acceptable identification includes  (but is not limited to):

·                     BC Care Card

·                     BC Driver's Licence

·                     BC Identification Card issued by ICBC

·                     BC Services Card

·                     Canadian Citizenship Card

·                     Birth Certificate

·                     Credit Card or Debit Card

·                     Property Tax Notice issued by the City of Chilliwack

·                     Social Insurance Card

·                     Secure Certificate of Indian Status (Status Card)

·                     Utility Bill (Phone, Hydro, Gas, etc.)

·                     Valid Passport

·                     Vehicle insurance documents issued by ICBC

A voter can request assistance in the following situations:

If a voter has difficulty reading or writing English, they may bring a translator to assist them in the voting process. The translator must complete a solemn declaration of assistance in order to provide translation support. 

If you are unable to enter the voting place, you may ask to receive and mark your ballot at a place located outside the voting place (curbside voting). You will need to bring someone with you who can advise the election officials that you need help outside the voting place. 

If you require assistance with voting inside, you may ask the on-site Presiding Election Official for assistance. You may also bring someone with you to the voting place to assist you. This person must make a solemn declaration to preserve the secrecy of your ballot, to mark the ballot according to your wishes, and not attempt to influence how you vote.