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)
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 school trustee is a member of a corporate board of education under the School Act and is a locally elected representative of the public and advocate for public education in their community. Individual trustees have no legal authority and must uphold the decisions of the board. A trustee’s role is to maintain a focus on student achievement and wellbeing, and to participate in decision-making that benefits the entire school district while representing the interests of the entire electorate, no matter the electoral area from which they were elected.
Who can be a school trustee?
To be qualified for nomination, election, and appointment as a school trustee, a person must meet the following requirements:
- 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; and
- Not be disqualified under the School Act or any other law.
Employees of the Board running as candidates must take leave from employment effective on the first day of nomination and resign if elected.
The School Act is silent with regard to residency requirements in the school district or trustee electoral area in relation to trustee eligibility. A former trustee or a trustee whose term of office is about to expire is eligible for reelection, if otherwise qualified, but no person may be nominated or elected as trustee for more than one trustee electoral area in any one school district at the same time.
What are the responsibilities of a school trustee?
The Ministry of Education and Child Care sets the direction for K-12 education, including the curriculum, funding amounts and the legal framework within which boards operate. Boards are responsible for governing school districts based on the educational aspirations of their local communities and in accordance with the policy direction established by government. The School Act outlines the primary functions of boards of education, including:
- Setting local policy for the effective and efficient operation of schools.
- Employing the staff necessary for school district operations.
- Establishing conditions of employment for employees.
- Preparing and approving the school district’s operating budgets and capital plans.
- Hearing appeals from parents and students.
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.