2026 Election Logo 250x350Eligibility

To be eligible to run as a candidate for Mayor or Councillor you must meet all of the following criteria:

  • 18 years of age or older on general voting day;
  • A Canadian citizen;
  • A resident of British Columbia for at least six months;
  • Not disqualified from voting in an election in BC or from being nominated, elected to or holding office, or otherwise disqualified by law.

There is no requirement for a candidate to be a resident or property owner in the municipality.

Nomination Process

The Nomination Period is from September 1 to September 11 (excluding weekends).

Nomination packages are now available at City Hall (410 Esplanade) or online. Please see our Nomination Package web page for more information.

All submitted nomination papers are available for public inspection will be available online and at City Hall once the nomination period opens.

Elections BC oversees campaign financing, financial disclosure and campaign advertising rules.

Questions? Please contact vote@ladysmith.ca.

CANDIDATE INFORMATION SESSIONS

Prospective candidates who were unable to attend the Candidate Information Sessions can access the presentation recording and slide deck below. The sessions, hosted by the Cowichan Valley Regional District (CVRD) in partnership with the Town of Ladysmith, provided information on the local government election process, campaign requirements, and the role of elected officials.

Candidate Information Session recording: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P2RNjkPE5zE



Presentation slides: CVRD Candidate Information Workshop Session

Want to learn more about being a candidate in Ladysmith? Check out our Ladysmith Candidate Key Information guide, which provides an overview of the Town of Ladysmith's organizational structure, long-term priorities as well as what it is like to serve on council and the process for becoming a candidate in our community.

Guide: Ladysmith Candidate Key Information

ALL CANDIDATE MEETINGS

As the Town must remain neutral throughout the election process, we do not host candidate events. However, as we become aware of meetings hosted by other organizations, we will list them below:

  • Ladysmith Chamber of Commerce and the Ladysmith Downtown Business Association All Candidates Forum
    Date: Tuesday, September 29, 2026
    Time: 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
    Location: Aggie Hall

Resources

Thinking of running? Below is a list of resources to help you decide whether public office is right for you.

Province of BC

  1. General Local Elections 101
  2. Thinking About Running for Local Office?
  3. Being an Effective Elected Official
  4. Who Does What in Local Elections
  5. Responsible Conduct

Town of Ladysmith

Important Links