Information
This is an informational pre-election page intended to help community members prepare for the upcoming School District Trustee election, taking place on October 17, 2026. Details such as candidates and voting locations will be confirmed closer to the election period.
School trustee elections are held every four years as part of BC’s general local elections. In School District No. 81, five (5) Trustees will be elected to serve a four-year term from 2026 to 2030.
Key Dates
Pre Campaign Period: July 20 to September 18, 2026
Nomination Period (BC-wide): September 1, 2026 to September 11, 2026
Declaration of Candidates: September 11, 2026
Challenge of Nomination Deadline: September 15, 2026
Candidate Withdrawal Deadline: September 18, 2026
Candidate Endorsement Withdrawal Deadline: September 18, 2026
Campaign Period: September 19, 2026 to October 17, 2026
Voting Day (General): October 17, 2026
Disclosure Statement Filing Deadline: January 15, 2027
Late filing deadline for disclosure statements (with $500 fee): February 16, 2027
What School Trustees Do
School Trustees are elected members of the Board of Education. They work together to make decisions that support student success across the district.
The Ministry of Education and Child Care sets the direction for K-12 education, including the curriculum, funding amounts, and the legal framework within which boards operate. Boards are responsible for governing school districts based on the educational aspirations of their local communities and in accordance with the policy direction established by government.
School Trustees do not manage the day-to-day operations of schools. They help guide decisions that affect local schools, including:
Governance & Policy: Developing and adopting policies that guide district operations and goals.
Financial Oversight: Adopting the annual budget and making decisions on school resource allocation.
Community Representation: Listening to community, parent, and student concerns, and advocating for local educational needs.
Hiring & Evaluation: Hiring and reviewing the performance of the school district superintendent.
Strategic Planning: Setting long-term goals and educational priorities for the district.
Read more here: https://bcsta.org/trustee-responsibilities/
Who Can Vote
To vote, you must:
be 18 years of age or older on General Voting Day;
be a Canadian citizen;
have lived in British Columbia for at least 6 months immediately before registering to vote;
be a resident of School District No. 81 at the time of registration; and
not be disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election.
How Voting Works
Trustees are elected at large, meaning every voter in the district can vote for all trustee positions. There are no geographic wards within School District No. 81, and voting takes place on General Voting Day alongside municipal elections. School Trustee elections are conducted by the Northern Rockies Regional Municipality on behalf of the school district.
Voting Options
In addition to General Voting Day, advance voting opportunities will be available.
Mail ballot voting is also permitted for eligible voters, including:
individuals with a physical disability, illness, or injury that affects their ability to vote in person
voters who expect to be away during voting opportunities
Voter Registration
Voters can register at the time of voting.
Learn more about being a School Trustee
BC School Trustees Association
Your Guide to Becoming a School Trustee
The Role of Boards of Education and Trustees in BC
Trustee Knowledge Series
School Trustee Election Procedures
General Local Elections
British Columbia School Trustee Candidates Guide
Nomination Package
Those interested in running as a School Trustee candidate in the 2026 General Local Election can download the School Trustee Nomination Package. Packages will also be available for pick-up at the School Board Office late August – date to be confirmed.
Learn more about School District 81 – Fort Nelson
Board Policies
Strategic Planning
School Calendars
Enhancing Student Learning Report (ESLR) 2025
District Publications
District Policies