2026 School Trustee Election
General local elections in B.C. are held every four years. The next general local election will be held on October 17, 2026.
General local elections include elections for mayors and municipal councils, regional district directors, school board trustees, specified parks boards, local community commissions, and the Islands Trust.
In the Greater Victoria School District, nine trustees will be elected to serve on the Board of Education for a four-year term (2026-2030) from seven trustee electoral areas (TEAs):
- TEA 1: Esquimalt Nation (1 Trustee)
- TEA 2: Songhees Nation (1 Trustee)
- TEA 3: Highlands / View Royal (1 Trustee)
- TEA 4: Esquimalt (1 Trustee)
- TEA 5: Victoria (2 Trustees)
- TEA 6: Saanich (2 Trustees)
- TEA 7: Oak bay (1 Trustee)
Nomination Package and Information for Candidates
Candidates interested in running must complete and submit a nomination package during the nomination period starting at 9:00am on September 1, 2026:
Nomination packages must be completed and delivered by 4:00 pm on Friday, September 11, 2026.
Completed forms can be dropped off in person at the School Board Office located at 556 Boleskine Road. Office Hours are 8am to 4pm Monday to Friday.
Forms can also be submitted digitally to the Chief Election Officer via email chiefelectionofficer@sd61.bc.ca.
Candidates are encouraged to learn more about the Greater Victoria School District:
- Board of Education Policy and Regulations
- Strategic Plan
- Budgets and Financial Information
- Important School Calendar Dates
- Enhancing Student Learning Report (ESLR)
- Meetings of the Board of Education
Candidates are encouraged to learn more about what it means to be a school trustee:
Public Notices
- August 4, 2026 – Notice of Nomination
Key Election Dates
Elections BC highlights the following key election dates:
| Pre-campaign period begins | July 20, 2026 |
| Deadline to apply to register an elector organization | July 31, 2026 |
| Deadline for voter registration with Elections BC (Voters may still register with their local government) |
August 18, 2026 |
| Nomination period begins | September 1, 2026 |
| Close of nominations | September 11, 2026 |
| Campaign period begins | September 19, 2026 |
| National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (Elections BC closed) | September 30, 2026 |
| Thanksgiving Day (Elections BC closed) | October 12, 2026 |
| General Voting Day | October 17, 2026 |
| Disclosure statement filing deadline | January 15, 2027 |
| Late filing deadline for disclosure statements (with $500 fee) | February 16, 2027 |
About School Trustees
What is a school trustee?
- A locally elected representative who participates in decision-making that benefits the entire school district, no matter the Trustee Electoral Area from which they are elected
- A member of a corporate board (individual trustees do not have authority)
- An advocate of public education serving a four year term
Who can be a school trustee?
- To run for trustee, you must:
- Be a Canadian citizen
- Be 18 years of age or older on general voting day
- Have lived in BC for at least six months before nomination day
- Not be disqualified under the School Act or any other law
- SD61 employees running as candidates must take leave from employment effective on the first day of nomination and resign if elected
What are the responsibilities of a school trustee?
- Governing their school district with a focus on the learning, success, and wellbeing of all students
- Following provincial direction, the School Act, and other relevant laws and statutes
- Setting the district’s strategic direction and policies
- Developing and approving budgets and capital plans
- Participating in board and committee meetings
Info Sessions for Aspiring Trustees
Thank you to those who attended information sessions on June 2 and August 25 at the School Board Office to learn more about the role of a school trustee. Attendees had the chance to learn and ask questions about the Greater Victoria School District and its strategic direction; trustee responsibilities, expectations, and time commitments; recent trustee electoral area changes within SD61; eligibility requirements, nomination deadlines, and forms; and key election dates.
Resources
- General School Trustee Information Sheet
- Trustee Electoral Areas Info Sheet
- B.C. School Act
- Local Government Act, Part 3 – Electors and Elections
- Elections BC
- Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action
- United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
- Capital Regional District Map
- Trustee Electoral Areas of School Districts in BC
- Ministerial Order – M18-2026
Questions?
Questions regarding trustee elections for the Greater Victoria School District can be directed to chiefelectionofficer@sd61.bc.ca.