Town Hall
Elections
Municipal Elections
In British Columbia, the Community Charter mandates that elections for the Mayor, Councillors and School Trustees be held every four years.
Who Can Vote
Do you live in the Town of Gibsons?
Some people living in the rural areas of the Sunshine Coast Regional District’s “Elphinstone – Area E” and “West Howe Sound – Area F” have “Gibsons, BC” in their mailing address. This can make knowing where to go to vote confusing.
If you are unsure about whether you live in the Town of Gibsons or within an SCRD Area, please check your address here.
Reed Road Residents
If you live on Reed Road and your house number is an even number, you live in either Elphinstone or West Howe Sound (i.e. NOT the Town of Gibsons). If your address is an odd number and higher than 1009, you also live in the SCRD and not the Town of Gibsons.
Electoral information for residents of the Rural areas is available on the SCRD’s website.
Can you vote in the Town of Gibsons?
There are two types of electors in the Town of Gibsons, “Resident” and “Non-Resident”.
Resident Electors
Individuals who live within the Town of Gibsons. Resident Electors may vote in the Town of Gibsons as a resident elector if you:
- are a Canadian citizen; and
- are 18 years of age or more on general voting day; and
- have lived in BC for at least 6 months before you register to vote; and
- have lived in the Town of Gibsons for 30 days or more before you register to vote; and
- are not disqualified under the Local Government Act, or any other enactment, or by law from voting in a local election.
- are not a resident in the Town of Gibsons; and
- are a Canadian citizen; and
- are 18 years of age or more on general voting day; and
- have lived in BC for at least 6 months before you register to vote; and
- are the registered owner of property in the Town of Gibsons for at least 30 days before you register to vote; and
- are not disqualified under the Local Government Act, or any other enactment, or by law from voting in a local election.
Corporations, businesses and permanent residents of Canada (landed immigrants) who have not yet become Canadian Citizens are not permitted to vote.
Are you on the Voters List?
The Town of Gibsons receives its Voters List from Elections BC. If you were listed on the most recent Provincial Voters List, you should be on the Town’s Voters List.
Voting Day Registration
If you are not on the Town’s Voters List, but qualify to vote, you can still register to vote at the Poll Station on General Voting Day, or one of the two Advance Voting Days. You must provide two pieces of identification that prove who you are and where you live. At least one piece must have your signature. If your ID does not show your address, you can make a “solemn declaration” as to your residency.
Examples of acceptable forms of identification include:
- BC Driver’s Licence
- Social Insurance Card
- Car Insurance
- BC ID Card
- Utility Bill
- Rent Receipt
- Property Tax Notice
- Credit Card or Debit Card
- BC Care Card
- Student Card
Non-resident Property Owners Registration to Vote
Non-resident property owners may also register at the time of voting; however advance registration is encouraged.
You can apply to register as a Non-Resident Property Elector at the Town of Gibsons, during regular office hours, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday, excluding statutory holidays.
You will be asked to provide two pieces of identification and proof that you are the registered owner of the property. If the property is owned jointly with other individuals, you must also have the written consent of the majority of all the owners to vote as the non-resident property elector.
You must complete an Application for Registration as Non-resident Property Elector. We strongly recommend you download the application and consent form and complete it in advance to ensure you have all the information and signatures you need to qualify to vote.
Eligibility
To be eligible to run for local government office in a general local election or a by-election, a person must meet certain eligibility requirements. They do not have to live or own property in the local government where they are running for office.
To be eligible to run for office, a person must:
- Be 18 years of age or older on general voting day
- Be a Canadian citizen
- Have been a resident of British Columbia for at least six months immediately before filing nomination documents
- Not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia or from being nominated for, being elected to or holding office, or be otherwise disqualified by law
A person is ineligible to run for office in a general local election or by-election if they:
- Have been convicted of and sentenced for an indictable offence and are in custody
- Have been found guilty of an election offence, such as intimidation or vote-buying, and are prohibited from holding office
- Are judges of the Provincial Court, Supreme Court or Court of Appeal
- Are involuntarily confined to a psychiatric facility or other institution
- Have been disqualified for specified reasons such as failing to:
- File a candidate disclosure statement in a previous election
- Make an oath of office
- Attend local government meetings in the manner and frequency required by the Community Charter
- Been disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in British Columbia or from being nominated for, being elected to or holding the office, or be otherwise disqualified by law
2022 Elections Results
The 2022 Municipal General Election Day was held on Saturday, October 15, 2022, and the meeting for the Declaration of Official Results was held on October 17, 2022.
The Council for the 2022 to 2026 term will be:
- Silas White (Mayor)
- David Croal
- Annemarie de Andrade
- Stafford Lumley
- Christi Thompson
