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.
During the general local election, nine Greater Victoria Board of Education trustees will be elected 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)
Interested in Becoming an SD61 Trustee? Attend an Info Session on June 2 or August 25
The Greater Victoria School District (No. 61) is inviting interested candidates to attend one of two identical information sessions to learn more about the role of a school trustee. The sessions will be held prior to the September 1-11 nomination period of the October 17, 2026 local general election. In the Greater Victoria School District, nine school trustees will be elected to serve a four-year term on the Board of Education.
Information Sessions:
- Dates: Tuesday, June 2 and Tuesday, August 25, 2026
- Time: 6:30pm to 8:00pm
- Location: Board Office (556 Boleskine Road)
- Format: Presentation and opportunity to 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
- Key election dates
- Resource:
We hope to see you there!
Nomination Package and Information for Candidates
Candidates interested in running must complete and submit a nomination package during the nomination period starting September 1, 2026:
Nomination packages must be completed and delivered by 4:00 pm on Friday, September 11, 2026. Forms can be submitted to the Chief Election Officer.
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:
Key Election Dates
Elections BC outlines 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
Additional Resources
- 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
Questions?
Questions regarding trustee elections for the Greater Victoria School District can be directed to community@sd61.bc.ca.