General Local Elections

Perform Your Civic Duty

General local elections in B.C. are held every four years on the third Saturday in October. General local elections are the most direct way for the public to influence their local government, school district or local governance body by determining the individuals who then make decisions and govern on their behalf following general voting day. 

In Summerland, the following positions are elected:
  ~ 1 Mayor
  ~ 6 District councillors
  ~ 2 school trustees

About Municipal Elections

Through general local elections, residents and non-resident property electors determine the individuals who collectively will make decisions and govern on their behalf following general voting day. Electors so this by voting - casting their ballots in favour of a candidate(s).

General local elections are a shared responsibility between local governments and Elections BC. Each local government is responsible for running its own general local election and must appoint a local Chief Election Officer to run the elections process. General local elections must be run in accordance with the Local Government Act, the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, the Community Charter, the School Act, and election related bylaws. 

2026 General Local Election

The 2026 General local election will be held on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Questions?

Contact the Election Office:

Phone: 250-404-4037
Email: elections@summerland.ca

Election Office
2nd Floor, Municipal Hall
13211 Henry Ave
Summerland, BC V0H 1Z5

Alternative Approval Process (AAP)

About the Alternative Approval Process

Under the Community Charter, local governments such as the District of Summerland may use an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) to directly engage citizens about a proposed bylaw or other matter requiring elector approval. An AAP can be used for various initiatives to undertake long-term borrowing, a boundary extension, to establish a new regional district service, or other matter requiring approval of the electorate.  

How an AAP Works 

A staff report is provided to Council that describes the plan for conducting the AAP. It includes key information about the proposed elector approval process to ensure elected officials fully understand the implications of using an AAP to obtain approval. The report also provides staff with an opportunity to plan the process to conduct the potential AAP.

Elector response forms are made available at Municipal Hall and on the District's website (see below). Signed forms received after the deadline has passed cannot be counted. If 10 per cent or more of the total number of eligible electors sign and submit response forms, local governments cannot proceed with the proposed matter without first holding an assent vote (i.e. referendum).

To view a Alternative Approval Process listings, click here.

Local Area Service (LAS)

What is a Local Area Service (LAS)?

A Local Area Service (LAS), pursuant to Part 7, Division 5 of the Community Charter, is a neighbourhood improvement paid for by the owners of the benefiting properties in order to deliver specific engineering infrastructure. Typical services accommodated under the LAS program are curb and gutters, sidewalks, streetlights, water mains, storm sewers or sanitary sewers. A LAS project can be initiated either by petition or by Council initiative and must be approved by the benefitting properties and District Council.  Where initiated by Council, the proposed service is subject to a petition against. Each Local Area Service must be established by bylaw. 

A local service tax is created by Council to pay all or part of the cost of a Local Area Service.  The form of the local service tax ultimately chosen must be specified in the Local Area Service bylaw. Property owners can choose to either pay their share of the costs as a one-time payment or elect to pay it annually over a period of time, with the accrued financing charge.