Information for Candidates

The Role of Mayor and Councilors

Members of Council serve their community by making decisions that take into account the well-being and interests of the municipality and the people who live here.  Visit the BC Government website for information and helpful resources on the roles of elected officials in the community. One of the responsibilities of elected officials is to attend official meetings. Annual schedule of meetings is posted at MapleRidge.ca/CouncilMeetings. Elected officials may also be appointed to City committees and external boards. 

To learn more about running for office, please review the Candidate’s Guide to Local Elections in BC and Thinking of Running for Local Office resources prepared by the Province. 

The Role of School Trustees

School trustees serve as members of the Board of Education and are responsible for governing the school district.  Resources, information and key dates for those interested in running for School Trustee are available on the School District 42 website. 

Visit School District 42's Election Page

Requirements to Run For Office

To be eligible to run as a candidate at the time of nomination a person must meet ALL of the following criteria: 

• 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day 
• Canadian citizen 
• Resident of BC for at least six (6) months prior to the date of nomination (by March 10, 2026) 
• Not disqualified by any statue or law from voting or being nominated for, elected to or holding office, or not otherwise disqualified by law  

A candidate does not have to live in the municipality in which they are running for office. 

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The statutory period for receiving nomination documents begins at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, and ends at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 11, 2026. 

Candidates must make a solemn declaration on the documents. The declaration can be taken by a lawyer, notary or Commissioner for Taking Affidavits for British Columbia, but is most commonly taken by the Chief Election Officer or designate at the time the nomination papers are filed. Emailed nomination papers must include the completed, witnessed solemn declaration. 

Nomination documents may be delivered by hand, mail, other delivery service, or by email (Election@MapleRidge.ca) to the Chief Election Officer or designate, 11995 Haney Place, Maple Ridge, BC, V2X 6A9. 

City Hall is open Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., except statutory holidays. It is strongly recommended you file in person and make an appointment. 

To book an appointment with Election staff for submission and review of your nomination documents, please click here.

Download Nomination Package for Mayor or Councillor Candidates  Download Nomination Package for School Trustee Candidates

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For Mayor and Council Candidates 

If you are interested in being a candidate in the upcoming October 17, 2026 Local Elections you are invited to attend an important information session on Wednesday, June 17 at 6pm in the Maple Ridge Council Chamber, City Hall 11995 Haney Place. The City of Maple Ridge is hosting the information session for all members of the public and prospective candidates considering public office in the Local General Election. Prospective Candidates are encouraged to attend. No registration is required for this information session. 

For School Trustee Candidates 

Maple Ridge - Pitt Meadows School District No. 42 is pleased to offer two candidate information sessions for individuals interested in learning more about how the school district operates and to provide a general overview of the roles and responsibilities of a School Trustee. 

The sessions will take place at 6pm on Wednesday, June 24 and Wednesday, August 26 at the District Education Office located at 22225 Brown Avenue, Maple Ridge. Representatives from the City of Maple Ridge and the City of Pitt Meadows will be in attendance to review the nomination process and share key election information. To register, email elections@sd42.ca. 

When voting is in progress, Candidates must not do any of the following at or within 100 metres of a voting location (the building): 

• Canvass, solicit votes or otherwise influence voters 
• Display, distribute, post or openly leave a representation of a ballot marked for a particular result in the voting 
• Post, display or disturb election advertising or any materials that identifies a candidate or elector organization 
• Carry, wear or supply a flag, badge or other thing indicating that the person using it is a supporter of a candidate, elector organization or result in the voting  

Division 18 of the Local Government Act outlines these and other election offences (vote buying, intimidation, etc.) and penalties. 

Scrutineers

Scrutineers can be appointed to represent the candidate by observing the conduct of voting and counting proceedings for the election in accordance with Section 102 of the Local Government Act. To learn more about scrutineers, review the Scrutineer’s Guide to General Local Elections in B.C. prepared by the Province. 

The forms to appoint candidate representative(s) will be provided with the candidate nomination package and must be returned to the Chief Election Officer once representative(s) are appointed. 

Campaign Financing And Election Advertising 

The Local Elections Campaign Act sets strict advertising limits for candidates and third-party advertising during the campaign period. 

*Cumulative Advertising for Third Parties cannot exceed $184,856.70. 

Anyone who wants to sponsor election advertising as a third-party sponsor must follow Elections BC rules. A third-party sponsor is a person, organization or group that runs advertising to support or oppose a candidate, elector organization or a position on an election-related issue but is not doing so as part of a candidate’s official campaign.  

Third party sponsors must register with Elections BC before sponsoring or conducting any election advertising during the pre-campaign period or campaign period. Election advertising can include paid messages in places such as social media sites, websites, digital ads, newspapers, radio, signs, flyers, brochures or other printed materials.  

Third party sponsors are responsible for following all applicable Elections BC rules, including registration, sponsorship information, spending limits and financial disclosure requirements. For information about third party advertising rules and how to register, visit https://elections.bc.ca/local-elections/local-advertising-sponsors/.

A candidate may appoint one individual to act as the candidate’s official agent to represent the candidate from the time of appointment until the final determination of the election. 

Elections BC is responsible for administering the campaign financing and election advertising rules. For questions or concerns, please contact Elections BC at electoral.finance@elections.bc.ca or 1-800-661-8683. 

Election Signs

Detailed information pertaining to campaign signage can be found in Section 24 of the Election Procedures Bylaw No. 8096-2026

Election signs can be displayed starting 28 days before the election and must be removed within four days after the election.

Display on private property is allowed only with the consent of the property owner or property occupant. 

Election signs are permitted on municipal boulevards, as long as they meet all bylaw requirements.

Each candidate is permitted one sign of max size 1.48 sq m / 16 sq ft displayed on the triangular island of municipal boulevard/City property at the Dewdney Trunk Road and 205A Street intersection (illustrated in Appendix A of the bylaw).

• Maximum size for signs on private property: 1.48 sq m / 16 sq ft.
• Maximum size for signs on municipal boulevards: 24x24”

Elections signs are NOT allowed to be displayed: 

• Lit or illuminated
• So that they interfere with traffic sightlines at intersections or with pedestrian safety
• On any trailer, existing sign, rooftop, or vehicle (with the exception of magnetic vehicle signs)
• In City parks or on City buildings
• Within 100 metres of a general voting place while voting is taking place

Signs in violation of the bylaw can be removed by the City.  If removed, the candidate will be notified. The sign will be stored for four days, during which time it can be claimed by the candidate or their agent. Unclaimed signs may be destroyed or disposed of.