Will mail ballot voting be offered for the 2026 General Local Election in Port Moody?
Who can vote by mail ballot?
- All qualified resident and non-resident property electors of Port Moody can vote by mail ballot. If you meet the qualifications to vote as either a resident or non-resident property elector in Port Moody, you are eligible to vote by mail.
- Visit the Elections page to see the qualifications to be an elector in Port Moody.
Can I vote by mail ballot even if I will not be away on Advance Voting days (October 7 and 10, 2026) or General Voting Day (October 17, 2026)?
- Yes. Please note that all qualified voters may only vote once during this election using only one of the available voting methods.
Do I need to already be a registered elector before applying to vote by mail ballot? Can I vote by mail ballot if I am not a registered voter, but am qualified to vote?
- You do not need to already be a registered voter to apply for a mail ballot. If you are eligible to vote in Port Moody but are not already registered to vote when you apply for a mail ballot, a voter registration (200M) form will be included in your mail ballot package. This form must be completed and returned along with your completed mail ballot, with copies of two acceptable pieces of ID attached. A witness signature is also required on the 200M form.
- A mail ballot from an unregistered voter without a completed registration (200M) form will not be counted in this election.
- Complete instructions are included in each mail ballot package.
- Examples of acceptable identification for registration purposes include:
- B.C. driver’s licence
- B.C. cervices card, B.C. CareCard, or Gold CareCard
- BCID card
- Owner’s certificate of insurance and vehicle licence issued by ICBC
- Social insurance number card
- Citizenship card or certificate
- Birth certificate
- Canadian passport
- Property tax notice
- Utility bill
- Debit or credit card or statement issued by a financial institution
- Student ID card
- Government-issue documents such as cheque stub, pension plan benefits statement, Old Age Security statement
- Income tax assessment notice
- Canadian Forces identification
- a document issued by the Government of Canada that certifies that the applicant is registered under the Indian Act (Canada), such as a status card
- a citizenship or membership card issued by a First Nation
- a citizenship card issued by Métis Nation British Columbia
How do I apply to vote by mail ballot?
What are the ways that I can receive a mail ballot? Do I need ID to pick up a mail ballot package?
- At the time of application, you will be required to select one of the following methods of delivery for your mail ballot package:
- Regular letter mail through Canada Post to residential address
- Regular letter mail through Canada Post to an alternate address that you provide when applying for the mail ballot package
- Pick up at Port Moody City Hall by applicant (ID required)
- Pick up at Port Moody City Hall by other authorized individual (ID required)
Is the mail ballot the same ballot as the one used at a voting location on General Voting Day or at an Advance Voting opportunity?
- Yes. The ballot that you receive in the mail is the exact same ballot that you would receive at a voting location. Please note that each voter is only eligible to vote once in the election – either by mail ballot or in-person.
How do I complete my mail ballot?
- Mark the ballot by completely filling in the circle next to the candidate(s) of your choice. Ballot marking instructions will be included in the mail ballot package.
- After marking the ballot, follow the included instructions for placing the completed ballot in the provided envelopes.
Can I vote at a voting location (on Advance Voting days or General Voting Day) after applying for a mail ballot?
- If you have applied for a mail ballot, your name will be flagged in the voting books at all voting locations as having received a mail ballot. If you choose to vote in-person at a voting location after receiving a mail ballot package, election officials at the voting location will immediately contact the Election Office to ensure that you have not already submitted the mail ballot.
- Once the Election Office verifies that you have not returned a completed mail ballot to City Hall, election officials will be authorized to issue you a ballot at the voting location. Your unreturned mail ballot package will be automatically voided, and you will be unable to submit a mail ballot afterwards.
Why are mail ballots not made available sooner?
- Mail ballots are made available as soon as the ballots are printed and delivered to the Election Office. Ballots can only be confirmed and printed after the provincial deadline for candidate withdrawal from the election (without appearing on the ballot), which is Friday, September 18, 2026.
How do non-resident property electors apply to vote by mail?
- Non-resident property electors must register to vote as they do not appear on the provincial voters list for Port Moody. Please contact the Election Office to request a mail ballot package for non-resident property electors. All required forms and documents will be included in the mail ballot package.
Can non-resident property electors vote for School Trustees in Port Moody?
- Per the provincial School Act, non-resident property owners living in Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam, the Village of Anmore, and the Village of Belcarra are not eligible to vote in the School Trustee race in the City of Port Moody. They are only eligible to vote for the School Trustee candidates running in their jurisdiction of residence. All NRPE mail ballots from these four jurisdictions that are in contravention of this rule will be voided and will not be counted towards the 2026 Port Moody election.
