FSJ council approves 2026 election and assent voting bylaw

FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The city will be changing its election framework to show legislative changes for its 2026 Elections. 

At the May 25th Fort St. John city council meeting, the city council read the bylaw for the first three times by title only. 

This means the bylaw was approved by the council on May 25th, but it will come into effect at a later date. 

The staff report said the city is required to hold a general local election every four years under provincial legislation. 

The Local Government Act governs the administration of municipal elections and elector assent, and it authorizes the council to establish local election procedures by bylaw. 

The bylaw updates the city’s election framework to show recent legislative changes to ensure the city is ready for the upcoming 2026 municipal election and consolidates the city’s election-related bylaws. 

According to the report, recent legislative amendments introduced through Bill 13 apply to the administration of local government elections, which begin with the 2026 election. 

The bill amended the Local Government Act to provide flexibility on how candidate nominations can be submitted and clarify authorities related to mail ballot administration. 

The report said city staff reviewed the city’s election bylaw to ensure alignment with the amended legislation and to confirm that local election procedures remain clear, transparent and well understood. 

Before this update, the city regulated election administration through three separate bylaws: 

• Election and Assent Voting Bylaw No. 2413, 2018
• Mail Ballot Authorization and Procedure Bylaw No. 2416, 2018 
• Automated Vote Counting System Authorization and Procedure Bylaw No 2415, 2018

 While these bylaws remain valid, multiple standalone election bylaws can make it difficult for candidates, electors and election officials to understand how the election is conducted. 

The consolidated bylaw provides a clear and modern framework for election administration, the report said. 

The proposed bylaw’s key updates are updates to terminology and definitions, confirmation of the Chief Election Officer’s authority with respect to mail ballot administration and authorized drop-off location, enhanced clarity around the handling and protection of personal information, and the consolidation of election-related bylaws. 

The report said the proposed bylaw will have no additional financial implications as the 2026 General Local election is included in the city’s existing work plans and approved election budget. 

To read the full report, see below.