Municipal Election 2026: General Voting is Tomorrow
Posted: Oct 16, 2026 | By: Communications
The District of Tofino’s Municipal Election takes place tomorrow, Saturday, October 17, 2026.
This is your chance to have a say in who will serve as the District of Tofino’s next Mayor.
Local government decisions show up in everyday life, from the water you use and the roads you travel to parks and recreation, fire protection, emergency preparedness and how Tofino grows.
Every ballot carries the same weight when the votes are counted. When more eligible voters participate, the result reflects the choices of a broader share of the community. Voting is one of the most direct ways you can participate in decisions about your community and its future.
Thank you to everyone who already participated in Advance Voting on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. A total of 273 voters cast their ballots in advance.
What Are Residents Voting For?
Eligible voters will elect one Mayor to serve on the District of Tofino Council.
The candidates for Mayor are:
- Eric Galarneau
- Tom Stere
The following six Councillor positions were previously filled by acclamation:
- Al Anderson
- Susie Doré
- Ali Sawyer
- Sarah Sloman
- Kat Thomas
- Rhys Walker-Shaw
When & Where to Vote
- Saturday, October 17, 2026
- 8 AM to 8 PM
- Tofino Community Hall at 351 Arnet Road
Have a mail ballot? The Chief Election Officer must receive completed mail ballots by 8 PM on Saturday, October 17, 2026. Ballots can be delivered to the Tofino Community Hall during General Voting Day between 8 AM and 8 PM.
Who Can Vote?
You may be eligible to vote as a resident elector if you:
- Are 18 years of age or older when you register to vote, or will be 18 by General Voting Day
- Are a Canadian citizen
- Have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months immediately before registering
- Are a resident of the District of Tofino
- Are not disqualified from voting under the Local Government Act or another law
Non-Resident Property Electors
If you live outside Tofino but own property in the District, you may be eligible to vote as a non-resident property elector.
You must provide proof of ownership. Examples include a Certificate of Title, Property Tax Notice or Property Assessment Notice.
If the property is jointly owned, you may also need written consent from the majority of registered owners to designate the person who will vote for that property.
What ID Should You Bring?
The District of Tofino uses the Provincial Voters List for resident electors. If you are already registered, you do not need to register again.
If you need to register at the voting place, bring two separate pieces of identification that show your identity and residency. At least one piece must include your signature.
If neither piece of identification shows your residential address, you can make a solemn declaration about where you live.
Accepted identification can include:
- B.C. Driver’s Licence
- BC Identification Card (BCID)
- Photo or non-photo BC Services Card
- A federal document confirming registration under the Indian Act
- Citizenship or membership card issued by a First Nation
- Métis Nation British Columbia citizenship card
- ICBC Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence
- B.C. CareCard or Gold CareCard
- Social Insurance Number card or confirmation of SIN letter
- Canadian Citizenship Card
- Real property tax notice
- Credit card or debit card issued by a financial institution
- Utility bill for electricity, natural gas, water, telephone or cable services
When Will Results Be Announced?
The Chief Election Officer will share unofficial results from Advance Voting, mail ballots, and General Voting Day as they are tabulated and verified after the polls close at 8 PM on Saturday, October 17, 2026.
Official results will be declared on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.
Find More Information
Voter eligibility, registration details, mail ballot information and full election details are available at www.tofino.ca/election
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Provincial Election: Saturday, October 24, 2026
British Columbia’s Provincial Election is separate from the District of Tofino’s Municipal Election.
Elections BC administers provincial voting, including voter registration, voting locations and voting options. More Details
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Questions?
Jaime Larsen | Chief Election Officer
250-725-3229 ext. 610 | election@tofino.ca
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