SCHOOL TRUSTEE ELECTION PROCEDURES IN BRITISH COLUMBIA – please note, nomination period for receiving nominations is today September 1, 2026

Objective of This Guide

The objective of this guide is to bring together all relevant features of the Acts and Regulations governing board of education elections, making them more accessible and comprehensible to the layperson and board of education official. It is organized as a sequential overview of the principal stages of election procedures and is intended to serve as a quick reference. All relevant statute sections are listed to assist the study of wording in the Acts or Regulations.

Readers are cautioned, however, that this guide is not a legal reference or text but, rather, serves only as a resource to the relevant legislation; the actual law is contained in the statutes, regulations and any relevant court decisions. Should a specific trustee election question or problem arise, please read the relevant legislative sections and any related court decisions and, if in doubt, consult a lawyer.

Organization of This Guide

The guide is divided into two parts:

Part I covers the frequency of elections, responsibility for conducting elections, and voter and candidate qualifications.
Part II follows the sequential stages of a general board of education election as closely as possible, starting with election bylaws and the appointment of election officials, running through judicial recounts and the oath of office. There is also a separate chapter on trustee by-elections.

Readers are cautioned to note that most references in this guide are not applicable to the City of Vancouver (which is not recognized as a “municipality” under the Local Government Act but is, instead, governed by the Vancouver Charter), nor are they applicable to the francophone education authority (which is governed by a separate set of election procedures).

Readers’ comments and suggestions on this guide are appreciated.

Please contact:
Governance and Legislation Branch
Workforce, Accountability and Governance Division
Ministry of Education and Child Care PO Box 9146 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, BC V8W 9H1

PDF GUIDE HERE: —–> SCHOOL TRUSTEE ELECTION PROCEDURES IN BRITISH COLUMBIA