Thinking of Running for Local Office?

Learn about the role you will play and the impact you will have on your community as an elected official.

 

If you’ve decided to run for local office, we recommend exploring the following resources:

Watch these videos about local governments and the role of Elected Officials:

Election Resources:

These four videos will provide you with general information about what you can expect before, during and following general local elections in BC.

Read these brochures:

The Candidate's Guide to Local Elections in BC provides comprehensive information about BC’s local government elections process; election participants (voters, candidates, third party sponsors and elector organizations); the roles and responsibilities of Sicamous' Chief Election Officer and Elections BC; who is qualified to run for office; and information about being an elected official including time commitments, remuneration, ethics of elected office and working with local government staff.

This guide also describes the main elements of the election process – call for nominations and declaration of candidates; election campaigns; candidate representatives (official agents and scruiteneers); what happens on voting day; and how elected candidates take office.

Candidates must also be familiar with BC’s campaign financing and election advertising legislation (Local Elections Campaign Financing Act) and its requirements. Refer to Election BC’s Guide to Local Elections Campaign Financing for Candidates for detailed information and instructions about the campaign financing disclosure process and requirements.

2022 Nomination Period will run from 9:00 a.m. on August 30 through to 4:00 pm on September 9, 2022

Am I Eligible to Run for Office?

You are eligible to run for Mayor or Councillor if you:

  • are a Canadian citizen;
  • will be 18 years of age or older on general voting day (October 15, 2022);
  • have been a resident of BC for at least six months prior to filing nomination documents; and
  • are not disqualified by law from being nominated for, elected to, or holding office.

You do not have to live within the boundaries of the District of Sicamous to run for office.

How do I get nominated?

Prospective candidates must be nominated by at least two persons eligible to vote in Sicamous as either resident electors or non-resident property electors. You may wish to consider having more than the required two nominators, in case one or more is determined to be ineligible.

Where do I get nomination forms?

Nominations packages are now available at the District Municipal Office or online. Please contact the Chief Election Officer, Jennifer Bruns, for more information at 250-836-2477 or by email at jbruns@sicamous.ca.

When and where do I file nomination forms?

Nomination documents for the offices of Mayor and Councillor must be filed with Sicamous’ Chief Election Officer during the nomination period which runs from 9:00 am on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 to 4:00 pm on Friday, September 9, 2022. It is the nominee’s responsibility to ensure all required information is submitted to the Chief Election Officer by the deadline date, and that all information is accurate and complete. The District of Sicamous does not require a nomination deposit.

A nominee officially becomes a candidate when all required information has been submitted and Sicamous’ Chief Election Officer declares them a candidate. Declaration of candidates takes place at 4:00 pm on Friday, September 9, 2022.

Nomination documents for the office of School Trustee must be filed with the School District's Chief Election Officer during the nomination period. Contact the School District for questions regarding the Trustee nomination process.

Key Dates

More  information?

For detailed information about the nomination process including filing options, how and why your nomination might be challenged, withdrawing your candidacy and endorsement by an elector organization please refer to the guides and resources for candidates.

 

All candidates in the 2022 General Local Elections have expense limits that apply during the campaign period, September 17, 2022 to October 15, 2022.

Each election area and office has its own limit, which is based on the office and population of the election area. These limits apply to the 2022 General Local Elections and all subsequent by-elections. For information on expense limits, please visit Elections BC.

 

The Local Elections Campaign Financing Act – brought into effect May 2014 – was created to enhance campaign financing rules and ensure greater accountability and transparency in local elections. The legislation separates the rules that regulate election advertising and campaign financing disclosure from the more procedural rules that apply to election administration such as receiving nomination documents, declaring candidates, administering voting opportunities, counting ballots and declaring election results.

Elections BC is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the local election advertising and campaign financing law from providing information and advice, to managing advertising and financing disclosure requirements and undertaking investigations and enforcement. Candidates must be familiar with the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act and its requirements.

For more information please visit Elections BC website or contact them directly at 1-855-952-0280 or by e-mail at lecf@elections.bc.ca and refer to the following resources:

There are new campaign financing and advertising rules for the 2022 General Local Elections that candidates, elector organizations, and third party advertisers need to be aware of. Key changes include:

  • Elector organizations must register with Elections BC in order to endorse a candidate, receive a campaign contribution, or incur an election expense. Read more about new rules for elector organizations.
  • Sponsorship contribution limits apply to contributions made by eligible individuals to third party sponsors.
  • During the pre-campaign period beginning on July 18, 2022, third party advertising rules apply.
  • All election advertising during the pre-campaign period must include an authorization statement.

Campaign finance rules are administered by Elections BC, not the District of Sicamous. If you have any questions about the campaign financing and advertising rules in local elections, contact us at 1-800-661-8683 or electoral.finance@elections.bc.ca.