Local Govt Elections

Legislative Services

Guidelines for City Council and School Board Candidates

The next general local election for:

One (1) Mayor
Eight (8) Councillors
Five (5) School Trustees

will be November 19, 2011.

Who is Qualified to Run?
You do not have to be a resident of or own property in the City of Kamloops to run for Council or the School Board, however, you must meet the following criteria (Section 66 of the Local Government Act):

Canadian citizen (landed immigrants who are not yet Canadian citizens are not qualified);
Will be 18 years of age or older on general voting day;
Resident of B.C. for at least 6 months immediately before the day nomination papers are filed; and
Not disqualified by the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election in B.C. or from being nominated for, being elected to, or holding office.

Nomination
(Sections 69 to 73 of the Local Government Act)
Candidates must be nominated by two qualified electors to run for Mayor, Councillor or School Board Trustee. Nomination packages will be available by the end of August, 2011 at the Legislative Services Division at City Hall, 7 Victoria Street West.

Campaign Financing
(Sections 83 to 93 of the Local Government Act)
The legislation on campaign financing requires disclosure of campaign contributions (in cash and in kind) and election expenses by candidates. There are no financial limits.

All election campaign contributions and expenses must be recorded, no matter when they were received or spent (for example, a contribution received before your nomination papers are filed must be included). Every candidate must appoint a Financial Agent when their nomination papers are filed (candidates may act as their own Financial Agent).

OPEN A SEPARATE BANK ACCOUNT in the name of the candidate as soon as you receive or spend campaign funds. Also remember that any anonymous contributions of more than $50 are required to be turned over to the City of Kamloops (Chief Election Officer or the Deputy Chief Election Officer).

A Campaign Financing Disclosure Statement must be filed with the Chief Election Officer within 120 days of the election. More detailed information regarding campaign financing is included in the nomination packages.

Further Information

Local Government Act - Sections 33 to 156
Information on Local Government Municipalities
Information on Local Government Elections

Logo Contact
Legislative Services Division
7 Victoria Street West
Kamloops BC V2C 1A2
ph (250) 828 3483
fax (250) 828 3578
email legislate@kamloops.ca

Note: All correspondence is entered into our system, and will be dealt with in due process. Please allow several working days for a response. Thank you.