Those interested in running for local government office in a general local election must meet certain eligibility requirements to be nominated. In addition, provincial legislation sets out how candidates may run and finance their election campaigns and advertise their candidacy.
Here is some information that potential candidates should be aware of before seeking election, including procedures for registering as a candidate, the roles and expectations of Mayor, Councilors, and School Trustees, campaign expectations and regulations, and key dates.
Running for Office
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.
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.
Registering as a Candidate
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.
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.
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 packages will be available here starting on June 17.
Candidate Meeting and Info Sessions
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.
Key Dates for Candidates
| Nomination documents available | June 17, 2026 |
| Nomination period | September 1 at 9:00 am - September 11 at 4:00 pm |
| Candidates are declared | September 11 at 4:00 pm |
| Deadline for candidates to withdraw | September 18 at 4:00 pm |
| Campaign period begins | September 19 at 12:01 am |
Campaigning Regulations
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
Elections BC is responsible for administering the campaign financing and election advertising rules. Please contact Elections BC at electoral.finance@elections.bc.ca or 1-800-661-8683.
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.
Election Signs
Information specifically around campaign signs is coming soon.