Kamloops council has appointed Alisha Beday as chief election officer for the City’s 2026 general local election, with Rozina Ripa and Graham Hrycan named deputy chief election officers.

The appointments, made at council’s July 14 meeting, put the election administration team in place ahead of general voting day on Saturday, Oct. 17. Kamloops voters will choose a mayor, eight councillors and five School District No. 73 Area 1 trustees.

Under B.C.’s Local Government Act, local governments must appoint a chief election officer and deputy chief election officer for an election. The chief election officer is responsible for administering and conducting the vote, including appointing the election officials needed at voting places.

The role also includes ensuring enough ballots, ballot boxes and voting books are available, taking reasonable precautions against multiple voting and doing what is needed to conduct the election under provincial law, regulations and local bylaws. The chief election officer may delegate duties and powers to other election officials, subject to the limits in the legislation.

Key dates for voters and candidates

According to the City’s election information page, nomination documents may be submitted from 9 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 1, through 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11.

The chief election officer must publish the declaration of candidates by the close of business Sept. 11. The City says the official ballot list is to be published by the close of business Monday, Sept. 21, after the declaration of election by voting or acclamation.

Applications for mail ballots become available Tuesday, Sept. 8. Advance voting is scheduled from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Oct. 7, Oct. 10 and Oct. 14 at two locations: Heritage House in Riverside Park and the Sports Centre Lounge at the McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre.

General voting on Oct. 17 will run from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 16 locations:

• Aberdeen Elementary School
• Arthur Hatton Elementary School
• Arthur Stevenson Elementary School
• Beattie Elementary School
• Brocklehurst Secondary School
• Dallas Elementary School
• Dufferin Elementary School
• Heritage House at Riverside Park
• Juniper Ridge Elementary School
• Lloyd George Elementary School
• NorKam Secondary School
• RL Clemitson Elementary School
• Ralph Bell Elementary School
• Rayleigh Elementary School
• South Sahali Elementary School
• Westmount Elementary School

The City does not require electors to register in advance. Voters must bring two pieces of identification, including one with a signature and one with an address. Full eligibility and identification requirements are available on the City’s voting information page.

Political-sign rules amended

Council also adopted Sign Regulations Amendment Bylaw No. 11-85 on June 23. Under the amended rules, election signs may be installed beginning on the first day of the nomination period and must be removed no later than seven days after general voting day.

Political signs are not permitted in parks, medians or other areas landscaped, irrigated or maintained by the City. The City says its sign bylaw applies in full to political signs, including its general provisions, and that sign size is regulated by sign type rather than political purpose. Candidates can find the City’s prohibited-areas map and further sign guidance on its candidate information page.

The City’s election page is the official source for election notices, candidate declarations and voting details as the Oct. 17 vote approaches.