Candidates

 A person is qualified to be nominated, elected, and to hold office as a member of local government if they meet the following criteria:

• Canadian citizen; and
• at least 18 years of age on general voting day (October 17, 2026); and
• resident of British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed; and
• not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from from voting in an election in British Columbia or being nominated for, being elected to or holding the office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

Nominations for the Offices of Mayor, Councillor and School Trustee will be received by the Chief Election Officer or a designated person, from 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, until 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026, excluding weekends and statutory holidays:

• Mayor or Councillor Nomination Package
• School Trustee Nomination Package

Candidates must be nominated by two people who are qualified to vote in the City of Abbotsford.

Complete submissions must be received by 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026. Early submission is encouraged, as incomplete submissions or nomination documents received after the deadline cannot be accepted.

Candidates are strongly encouraged to submit their nomination documents in person, by emailing electionoffice@abbotsford.ca to set up an appointment. 

Alternatively, candidates may submit their completed nomination documents by email or by mail after completing the solemn declaration in front of a lawyer, notary or Commissioner for Taking Affidavits in British Columbia.

• By email: electionoffice@abbotsford.ca
• By mail or other delivery service: Chief Election Officer, 5th Floor, 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC, V2T 1W7

For questions regarding the nomination process, please contact the Election Office by email at electionoffice@abbotsford.ca or by phone at 604-851-8683. Office hours are Monday to Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (excluding any statutory holidays).

Shortly after the close of the nomination period at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026, the Chief Election Officer will declare all persons who have been successfully nominated as candidates, by posting the list here.

The deadline for a candidate to withdraw their nomination is 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 18,
2026.

The deadline for the withdrawal of an elector organization endorsement, or for a candidate to
withdraw their acceptance of an elector organization endorsement, is 4:00 p.m. on Friday,
September 18, 2026.

Challenges to nominations may be made between the time nomination documents are delivered and 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2026. 

A nomination may only be challenged by:

• an elector of the City of Abbotsford;
• another nominee; or
• the Chief Election Officer. 

Any challenge must be made by application to the Provincial Court in accordance with section 91 of the Local Government Act.

The Local Elections Campaign Financing Act regulates campaign financing, election advertising, and third-party advertising for candidates and elector organizations. Elections BC is responsible for administering and enforcing these requirements.

Candidates are responsible for complying with all campaign financing and disclosure requirements and must file the required financial disclosure statements with Elections BC following the election, even if they are acclaimed, withdraw or have no financial activity to report. Candidates endorsed by an Elector Organization should also ensure that any applicable endorsement and disclosure requirements are met. 

The deadline to file campaign financing disclosure statements with Elections BC is 90 days after general voting day. Late filings may be submitted within 120 days after the election, subject to the applicable late filing fee. Failure to comply with campaign financing and disclosure requirements may result in disqualification from seeking office until after the next general local election.

Campaign Period Expense Limits

In accordance with the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, for the 2026 General local election, the following expense limits for candidates apply during the campaign period:

• Mayor                    $128,740.12
• Councillor              $65,201.92
• School Trustee     $65,237.78

Third Party Advertising Limits

In accordance with the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act, for the 2026 General Local Election, the following third party advertising limits apply:

• Mayor and Councillor  $6,437.01
• School Trustee           $4,019.88

The cumulative advertising expense limit is $184,856.70 and applies to directed and issue advertising in all election areas. The total value of advertising sponsored cannot exceed this limit.

For further information on campaign period expense limits and third party advertising limits, please contact Elections BC:

• Toll-free phone: 1-855-952-0280
• Email: lecf@elections.bc.ca
• Website: www.elections.bc.ca/lecf

USB of List of Electors:

Candidates will receive a USB drive containing the List of Electors once their nomination documents have been reviewed and determined to be complete. The process will vary depending on how the nomination documents are submitted:

• In-Person Submissions
  If nomination documents are submitted in person and staff determine that the submission is complete, the USB drive will be provided at that time.
• Email or Mail Submissions
  If nomination documents are submitted by email or mail, staff will review the submission for completeness. Once confirmed, staff will contact the candidate or their financial agent to arrange a time for pickup of the USB drive.

Access to Candidate Portal:

Access to the Candidate Portal is an optional service provided by the City and is not a legislative requirement. Candidates will be granted access within two business days of staff confirming that a complete nomination package has been received. An email will be sent with portal access instructions and related information.

Election Sign Period:
For the 2026 General Local and School Trustee Election, election signs may only be placed between September 1, 2026 and October 17, 2026. 

Public Property:
Generally, election signs must not be located on public property, except on a boulevard immediately in front of a parcel used solely for residential purposes with the consent of the property owner, occupant, or the strata corporation in the case of a parcel containing strata lots.

Private Property:
Election signs may not be placed on private property without the approval of the property owner or occupant, or the strata corporation in the case of a parcel containing strata lots.

In accordance with the Local Government Act, candidates may appoint representatives to assist with their campaign and observe election proceedings.

• Financial Agent: A candidate may appoint a Financial Agent to manage campaign finances and ensure compliance with election financing requirements.
• Official Agent: A candidate may appoint an Official Agent to represent them in election matters. An Official Agent may also be authorized to appoint Scrutineers on the candidate’s behalf.
• Scrutineers: A candidate or their Official Agent may appoint Scrutineers to observe voting and ballot counting proceedings. A maximum of one (1) Scrutineer per candidate per voting place is permitted at any one time. 
  • Scrutineers MUST have a copy of their Appointment of Candidate Scrutineer completed and signed when attending any voting location.
  • Scrutineers are not allowed to use their phones inside any voting location.

Note: The same person may act as both the Official Agent and Financial Agent. If a candidate does not appoint a Financial Agent, the candidate is deemed to be their own Financial Agent and no formal appointment is required.

• Candidate's Guide to Local Elections in B.C.
• Elector Organization Guide to Local Elections in B.C.
• General Local Elections 101
• Thinking of Running for Local Office?
• What Every Candidate Needs to Know
• Guide to Local Elections Campaign Financing in BC for Candidates and their Financial Agents
• Guide to Local Elections Campaign Financing in B.C. for Elector Organizations and their Financial Agents
• Guide for Local Elections Third Party Sponsors in B.C.
• Financial Disclosure Act – Ministry of Attorney General Fact Sheet
• Local Government Act, Part 3 — Electors and Elections