Frequently Asked Questions | Image  |
The election period begins on January 1, 2022, and ends on September 16, 2022. During this period anyone who intends to become a candidate must track and report all campaign expenses incurred during this time. Elections BC manages this process and all financial recording requirements. For further information, please visit Elections BC or call 1-800-661-8683.
Candidates must meet the following criteria:
- be 18 years of age or older on October 15, 2022;
- be a Canadian citizen;
- be a resident of BC in accordance with legislation, for at least 6 months immediately before October 15, 2022 (April 14, 2022); and
- not be disqualified from voting under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from being nominated for, being elected to or holding office, or be otherwise disqualified by law.
A person is ineligible to run for office in a general local election or by-election if they:
- have been convicted of and sentenced for an indictable offence and are in custody;
- have been found guilty of an election offence, such as intimidation or vote-buying, and are prohibited from holding office;
- are judges of the Provincial Court, Supreme Court or Court of Appeal;
- are involuntarily confined to a psychiatric facility or other institution;
- have been disqualified for specified reasons such as failing to file a candidate disclosure statement in a previous election, failing to make an oath of office, or failing to attend local government meetings in the manner and frequency required by the Community Charter;
- have been otherwise disqualified from being nominated for, elected to or holding office under the Local Government Act, Community Charter, Local Elections Campaign Financing Act or any other enactment or law.
Candidate nomination packages will be available for pick up at the Office of the City Clerk at Delta City Hall beginning August 2, 2022.
Candidates do not have to be residents of Delta.
Find more information on who may hold office on a local government in Division 5 – Qualifications for Office of the Local Government Act.
Nomination period begins at 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 30, 2022, and ends at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, September 9, 2022. Candidates may only be nominated during this time period.
An elector organization promotes candidates in local elections. They are also called civic political parties. Anyone can form an elector organization, but only elector organizations registered with Elections BC can endorse candidates, receive campaign contributions and incur election expenses. For more information on elector organizations including how to register as an elector organization, visit Elections BC or call 1-800-661-8683.
On December 1, 2021, new campaign financing rules for elector organizations came into effect. For more information on campaign financing rules for elector organizations, visit Elections BC or call 1-800-661-8683.
The pre-campaign period encompasses the 60 days before the campaign period for a General Local Election. During this period, advertisers must be registered with Elections BC and include an authorization statement in their advertising. The pre-campaign period begins on Monday, July 18, 2022 and ends on Friday, September 16, 2022. During this time, third party election advertising rules come into force. The Local Elections Campaign Financing Act has information regarding election advertising.
The campaign period begins on Tuesday, September 17, 2022, and ends on Saturday, October 15, 2022. During the campaign period, candidate and third party expense limits apply. Elections BC administers this process. For further information, visit Elections BC or call 1-800-661-8683.
Third-party advertising sponsors in local elections must:
- register with Elections BC before conducting any advertising;
- include the sponsor’s name and contact information on all advertising;
- be independent and not sponsor advertising on behalf of, or together with, a candidate or elector organization;
- not spend more than the expense limits; and
- file a disclosure statement.
For more information, visit Elections BC or call 1-800-661-8683.
Expense limits are established by Elections BC. There are different expense limits for local government candidates and school trustee candidates. For additional information, visit Elections BC or call 1-800-661-8683.
The deadline for candidates to file campaign financing disclosure statements is January 13, 2023. The late filing deadline is February 13, 2023. There is a penalty of $500.00 for late filing. For additional information, including reporting requirements, visit Elections BC or call at 1-800-661-8683.
Area of Responsibility Who is Responsible Voting and ballots Delta Elections Office Nomination process Delta Elections Office Advertising rules Elections BC Campaign financing and disclosure rules Elections BC Registration of elector organizations and third party sponsors Elections BC Legislation for local elections Ministry of Municipal Affairs
Other Helpful Resources
Government of BC: Thinking of Running
Government of BC: You've decided to run for local office
Elections BC: Candidate Information
Elections BC: Guidelines for Campaigning During COVID-19
Elections BC: Guide to Elector Organization Registration
Local Elections Campaign Financing Act
Guide to Local Elections Campaign Financing in B.C. for Candidates
Guide to Local Elections Campaign Financing in B.C. for Elector Organizations