Advance Voting Opportunities

• City of Merritt Civic Centre – 1950 Mamette Ave, Merritt, on the following dates from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm:
  • Wednesday, October 7, 2026
  • Wednesday, October 14, 2026

General Voting Day

• Vote on Saturday, October 17, 2026 at the City of Merritt Civic Centre – 1950 Mamette Ave, Merritt, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.

Mail ballot information

• Anyone who is eligible to vote in the City of Merritt may vote by mail ballot instead of at an in-person voting opportunity. Mail ballot voting allows non-resident property electors, seasonal residents, people in geographically remote locations, and those people whose mobility or health is compromised, an opportunity to cast their ballot in the election.

Key dates for mail ballot packages

• To receive a mail ballot package by mail, please submit a mail ballot request form (Form 11-1) to the Chief Election Officer before September 23, 2026.

How to request a mail ballot package

Eligible voters in the City of Merritt can request a mail ballot package by:

• Filling out the application form and submitting the application form to City Hall either by mail, in person or email

• • PO Box 189, Merritt BC, V1K 1B8
  • 2185 Voght Street, Merritt BC
  • corporate@merritt.ca.

• If you have questions, please call: 250-378-4224 or email corporate@merritt.ca.

Mail ballot package distribution

Mail ballot packages will be provided to voters as soon as possible after the ballots are printed. You can select one of the following options to receive your mail ballot package:

• Pick up your mail ballot package in person at City Hall, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt.
• Arrange for an authorized person to pick up the mail ballot package on your behalf from City Hall.
• Have it mailed to a residential address via regular Canada Post delivery.
• Arrange and pay for the package to be delivered via a courier service from City Hall to you.

Returning your mail ballot package

• You are responsible for ensuring that the Chief Election Officer receives your completed mail ballot package no later than 8 p.m. on General Voting Day, Saturday, October 17, 2026.

Please note: The deadline to receive ballots, via mail, is Friday, October 16, 2026 as mail is not delivered to City Hall on Saturdays.

Drop off in person at Merritt City Hall

You may drop off the mail ballot package yourself or have someone drop off your mail ballot package, on your behalf, to Merritt City Hall, at PO Box 189, 2185 Voght Street, during regular office hours, Monday through Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, (closed for lunch between 12 – 1:15 pm daily). City Hall is closed on statutory holidays.

The Chief Election Officer will also accept mail ballots through the secure drop box, look for the labelled drop box sign, outside of City Hall until 8 p.m. on Saturday, October 17, 2026.

The City of Merritt makes every effort to ensure polling stations are accessible. 

Curbside

• If you find that the polling station is difficult to access, curbside voting is available. Simply ask someone to inform election staff of your need for assistance and election staff will bring your ballot to your vehicle.

Translation services

• If you require an interpreter, please bring one with you to the polling station.

Support while voting

• If you are unable to mark your own ballot, you may ask a relative, friend or election staff to assist you.

Resident electors

You are eligible to vote as a resident elector if you are:

• 18 years of age or older on voting day, Oct. 17.
• A Canadian citizen.
• A resident living in British Columbia for at least six months before voting (April 16, 2026).
• Not disqualified from voting due to an election offence.
• Not ineligible to vote for other offences.

City of Merritt non-resident elector

You may vote as a non-resident elector if you:

• Are 18 years of age or older on voting day, Oct. 17.
• Are a Canadian citizen.
• Are not a resident in the City of Merritt.
• Are not ineligible to vote for other reasons such as elections offences.
• Have lived in British Columbia for at least six months before voting (April 16, 2026).
• Have owned property within the City of Merritt for at least 30 days before voting, (September 16, 2026).
• Have written consent from the majority of the property’s co-owners to vote as the non-resident elector (Form 7-3).
• Proof of ownership is required.

How to register to vote

• We use the province’s most recent provincial electors list as our registered resident electors list, so if you are registered to vote in the next provincial election, you’re automatically registered to vote in the 2026 General Local Election.

Not sure if you are already registered?

• You can confirm that you are registered by checking with Elections BC.

Advanced registration closes on August 18, 2026. If you still need to register to vote, you must do so in person at the time of voting. Here’s how:

Residents

Bring two pieces of identification with you to establish your identity and place of residence. At least one of your pieces of ID must contain your signature. If you do not have ID that will establish your place of residence, you can make a solemn declaration when you vote.

• Examples of ID that will establish your identity: Driver’s Licence, BC ID, MSP card, SIN card, credit card

• Examples of ID that will establish your place of residence: Driver’s Licence, BC ID, telephone bill, hydro bill, personalized cheque

If you are already registered, no identification will be required to vote. If you are not registered, have moved or changed your name, you will require two pieces of ID.

Also, unlike Federal or Provincial elections, voter cards are not mailed out for general local elections.

Non-resident Property Electors

You must bring two pieces of identification. At least one piece needs to have your signature and proof that you own the property (eg. deed, title search). If your property has other owners, you need to provide a consent form (Form 7-3) signed by a majority of the other owners.

The City of Merritt is responsible for conducting a fair and impartial election process. The City of Merritt does not provide information on candidates’ platforms nor their positions on specific topics, nor does the municipality host candidate forums.

Candidates have provided their information and the City of Merritt is not responsible for errors, omissions or content posted through any provided links such as social media or websites.

Candidates are not official spokespersons for the City of Merritt. 

List of candidates

The list of candidates and the contact information they provide will be posted here in the following format.

• Candidate name:
  • Email:
  • Phone number:
  • Website:
  • Facebook:
  • Nomination papers:

Key dates for candidates:

Nomination period – September 1 – 11

Candidates can submit their nomination packages for the 2026 Local Government Election at City Hall, 2185 Voght Street, Merritt, BC

• Starting 9 a.m. Tuesday, September 1, 2026
• Ending 4 p.m. Friday, September 11, 2026

Candidates are encouraged not to wait until the final day or the last minute to submit their nomination documents. Submitting early allows time to address any issues that may arise during the nomination process. If any corrections to the nomination documents are required, the corrected documents must be delivered to the Chief Election Officer (CEO) no later than 4:00 p.m. on September 11.

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Last day to withdraw candidacy – September 18 by 4 pm.

• Withdrawal Deadline: Candidates may withdraw their nomination until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18, 2026, following the close of the nomination period.

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Campaign period – September 19 – October 17

During the campaign period, candidates can actively campaign, and campaign financing and advertising rules under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act apply. The official period is:

• 12:01 a.m. September 19, 2026 to 11:59 p.m. October 17, 2026

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Announcement of preliminary election results – October 17 (after 8 pm)

• Announcement of Preliminary Election Results refers to the release of the initial vote count by the Chief Election Officer after ballots have been counted on General Voting Day. These results are unofficial and subject to final verification before the official election results are declared. The Chief Election Officer may announce preliminary results on election night, while official results must be declared within four days of General Voting Day.

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Elected Official’s Oath of Office – TBC (6 pm)

• Elected Officials’ Oath of Office: A formal declaration made by newly elected officials before they begin their duties, affirming that they will faithfully perform the responsibilities of their office and uphold the laws and interests of the community. The Officials’ Oath will be on: TBC, 6 pm City of Merritt Council Chamber

Notices regarding the 2026 General Local Election will be posted here.