2022 General Local Election Resources

An election for Office of Mayor, Office of Councillor and Office of School Board Trustee (School District 62) was be held on Saturday, October 15, 2022.

The elected candidates will serve a four year term ending in October, 2026.

It is the responsibility of candidates, elector organizations and those wishing to take part in the election process by means of advocacy, to comply with the requirements of the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act . 

Candidate Orientation

The Province of BC has many excellent resources for candidates—both prospective and those who have already made the decision to run. The Province’s page on Local General Elections is a good starting point for all candidates.

If you are still considering the pros and cons of running as a candidate, we recommend visiting Thinking of Running for Local Office? This page includes a series of helpful videos, giving potential candidates information about the role they would play, how best they can serve their community, and the impact they would have, as an elected official.

To qualify as a candidate, you must:

  • Be 18 years of age or older on general voting day, October 15, 2022 (born on or before October 15, 2004);
  • Be a Canadian citizen;
  • Be a resident of BC for at least six months immediately preceding the day nomination papers are filed;
  • Not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from being nominated for, being elected to or holding the office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.

New Rules for 2022 General Local Elections

Elections BC administers campaign financing, disclosure and election advertising rules under the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act. Elections BC does not administer voting or candidate nominations for local elections. For more information, see Who Does What in Local Elections.

There are new campaign financing and advertising rules for the 2022 General Local Elections that candidates, elector organizations, and third party advertisers need to be aware of. Key changes include:

  • Elector organizations must register with Elections BC in order to endorse a candidate, receive a campaign contribution, or incur an election expense. Read more about new rules for elector organizations.
  • Sponsorship contribution limits apply to contributions made by eligible individuals to third party sponsors.
  • During the pre-campaign period beginning on July 18, 2022, third party advertising rules apply.
  • All election advertising during the pre-campaign period must include an authorization statement.

If you have any questions about the campaign financing and advertising rules in local elections, contact us at 1-800-661-8683 or electoral.finance@elections.bc.ca.

Important dates

Nomination Period: Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at 9:00 am to Friday, September 9, 2022 at 4:00 pm

Period to challenge candidate nominations:Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at 9:00 am to Tuesday, September 13, 2022 at 4:00 pm

Deadline of Friday, September 16, 2022 at 4:00 pm for the following:

  • Decision on challenges of candidate nominations
  • Withdrawal of candidates
  • Withdrawal of candidate endorsement by elector organization
  • Submitting originals of nomination documents to the Chief Elector Officer that had been delivered by fax or email

Campaign Financing Disclosure Statement Deadlines to file:

  • Friday, January 13, 2023
  • Monday, February 13, 2023 late filing with $500 late filing fee

Order of Names on Ballot Determined By Lot

The draw for order of names on the ballot took place September 19, 2022 at 4:05 pm at City of Colwood Council Chambers 3300 Wishart Road.

As per the City of Colwood “Election and Voting Procedure Bylaw No 1948, 2022” and Section 117 of the Local Government Act the procedure to determine the order of names on the ballot is as follows:

  • The name of each candidate will be written on a separate piece of paper.
  • The pieces of paper will be:
    • Folded in a uniform manner so that the candidates names are not visible
    • Placed in a container that allows them to be shaken for the purpose of making their distribution random
  • The chief election officer will direct a person who is not a candidate or a candidate representative to withdraw the papers on at a time
  • The name on the first paper drawn will be the first name on the ballot, the name on the second paper will be the second, and so on until all the candidates’ names on the ballot have been determined.

The only persons who many be present at the determination are the candidates, or their official agent, and any other persons permitted to be present by the chief election officer.

Voting Opportunities 

  • Wednesday, October 5, 2022, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm - Advance Voting opportunity at Colwood City Hall
  • Wednesday, October 12, 2022, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm - Advance Voting opportunity at the Colwood City Hall
  • Saturday, October 15, 2022, 8:00 am to 8:00 pm - General Voting Day

When can candidates begin campaigning?

There are no time restrictions for people to go out and talk to others to let them know they plan to run for office. 

  • Pre-campaign period - Monday July 18, 2022 to Friday September 15, 2022
    (At the beginning of this period election advertising rules come into force and continue through General Voting Day.)
  • Campaign period - Saturday, September 17, 2022 to Saturday, October 15, 2022
    (The period that begins on the 28th day before General Voting Day and ends at the close of voting on General Voting Day. Candidate and third party expense limits apply during this period.)

Nomination documents are available at Colwood City Hall starting July 22, 2022.  At your convenience, visit Colwood City Hall weekdays (excluding statutory holidays) between 8:30 am and 4:30 pm to pick up your package.  To have a printed package mailed to you, please call 250-294-8157, or email corporateservices@colwood.ca.