How do I vote in B.C.'s municipal elections? Here's everything you need to know

British Columbians are heading to the polls to choose their mayor, councillors and school board trustees for the next four years.

There are advance and mail-in voting opportunities, with general voting day on Oct. 15.

How you vote helps determine who will be the decision-makers for your municipality, regional district or Islands Trust — but there can be a lot of information to sift through during an election period.

Here's your one-stop guide to getting out to the polls this year, including profiles of candidates in several B.C. cities.

Things to bookmark

• The latest B.C. election news.
• Profiles of the major parties and mayoral candidates in Vancouver and Surrey.
• Platform trackers for the major parties in Vancouver and Surrey.
• Understanding the role of school trustees in the education system.
• Profiles of mayoral races in Victoria, Saanich, Port Moody, Kelowna, Prince George and Langley Township.

When and where can I vote?

General local elections in the province are held on the third Saturday of October. This year, that date is Oct. 15.

Voting locations are set by local government and are available on your municipal or jurisdiction's individual website.

For people with plans that weekend, advanced voting is also available.

Every electoral area has to provide an advanced voting day between Oct. 5 and Oct. 15. You can check your jurisdiction's website to find out when those are available.

Mail-in ballots are an option in most larger municipalities, but check your jurisdiction's individual website for more details.

Who can vote?

Canadian citizens over 18 who have been a resident of B.C. for at least six months immediately before registering to vote are eligible. If you are unsure about your eligibility, check the provincial voter's guide.

How can I vote?

Either go to the polls on Oct. 15, vote on an advanced voting day, or mail in your ballot if it is permitted in your electoral area. 

What ID should I bring?

If your name is not on the voter list in your electoral area, you need to bring two pieces of identification proving who you are and where you live — and one of those must have your signature. 

A driver's licence, social insurance card, BCID card, citizenship card and ICBC insurance papers will all be accepted. If the identification provided does not have an address on it, residents can make a solemn declaration about where they live.

• Read more coverage of CBC British Columbia's 2022 local elections here

What about accessibility?

B.C. Transit is partnering with several local governments to provide free bus and handyDART in multiple communities in order to make it easier for residents to get to the polls. Check your local transit page for details.

Election officials are trained to help people access polling stations, and services are available to help voters with disabilities or underlying health conditions.

You can choose to get help from an assigned election worker. All election workers take an oath to keep your vote a secret. You can also bring someone you know to the voting place, and that person will have to take an oath of secrecy.

Voting places are usually accessible for people who use wheelchairs, mobility scooters, strollers and canes. Voters who aren't able to enter a voting place can vote outside the building at the curb or in the parking lot.

Locations are also often equipped with a universal washroom and have chairs available and a priority line for older people, people with disabilities, and those who are immunocompromised, pregnant or have children with them, along with people who require low stimulation (because of, for example, mental health, anxiety, and developmental or cognitive disabilities).

Who are the candidates?

Here is a link to all of the candidates running across the province, grouped regionally and broken down by jurisdiction.

There are over 3,000 people who have thrown their hat in the ring for an elected role this October. Here is a chart-based look at who is running and how it compares over time.

Here are more detailed looks at all of the candidates for Vancouver mayor and council, Surrey mayor and council and Kelowna mayor and council.

Almost 40 mayor candidates have already won by acclamation because they ran unopposed. You can find out who they are here and read more about election races across the province here.