Nomination period open for RDCO and school trustee candidates

Residents interested in making a difference in their community are encouraged to consider putting their names forward in the 2026 General Local Election.

The nomination period opens September 1 for Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO) electoral area directors and School District No. 23 (Central Okanagan Public Schools) trustees.

Local elected officials play an important role in shaping the communities they serve. For residents with an interest in their community, local services or public education, running for office is an opportunity to bring their experience and perspective to the table and to help guide decisions that have a direct impact close to home.

RDCO electoral area directors represent their communities on the Regional Board and help guide decisions about important local and regional services. School trustees help set priorities and make decisions that shape public education and support students across the Central Okanagan.

The nomination period is open until 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 11, for the following positions:

• One director for the Central Okanagan East Electoral Area.
• One director for the Central Okanagan West Electoral Area.
• One School District No. 23 trustee for Area 1, Zone 1 (Central Okanagan East and Lake Country).
• One School District No. 23 trustee for Area 2, Zone 2 (Central Okanagan West and Peachland).

Nomination packages are available at the RDCO Administration Office, 1450 K.L.O. Rd., Kelowna, or online at yoursay.rdco.com/election2026. Packages include nomination forms, candidate information and details about the nomination process.

Nomination papers may be submitted in person, by mail or courier to the RDCO Administration Office, or by email to elections@rdco.com. Candidates who submit nomination documents by email must ensure the original signed documents are received by the Chief Election Officer by 4 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18.

To be eligible, candidates must be Canadian citizens, at least 18 years old on general voting day, residents of British Columbia for at least six months before filing nomination papers and otherwise qualified under provincial legislation.

Interested in putting your name forward? Candidate information, including eligibility requirements, nomination packages and important dates, is available at yoursay.rdco.com/election2026. Prospective candidates can also contact the RDCO elections team at elections@rdco.com.

For residents planning how they will vote, applications to vote by mail will be accepted beginning Friday, Sept. 4. Information about mail ballots, voter eligibility, advance voting and voting locations is available at yoursay.rdco.com/election2026.

Advance voting takes place Wednesday, Oct. 7, and Wednesday, Oct. 14. General voting day is Saturday, Oct. 17, with voting open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Election information will continue to be updated at yoursay.rdco.com/election2026.