Christina Lake voters still have mail-ballot options after postal deadline
The Regional District of Kootenay Boundary is administering the Oct. 17 election for Electoral Area C/Christina Lake.
Photo credit: Regional District of Kootenay Boundary
CHRISTINA LAKE — Voters in Christina Lake can still arrange to collect a mail-ballot package from the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) ahead of the Oct. 17 general local election, following the expiry of Friday's deadline to request a package through Canada Post.
The 1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9 deadline applied to voters who wanted their ballot packages sent by post. The RDKB has published additional deadlines for collecting packages from its Trail office and returning completed ballots. Eligible voters can also vote in person on election day.
Christina Lake voters will choose between Rocio Graham and Rupert Oldroyd for director of RDKB Electoral Area C. The neighbouring electoral areas of D/Rural Grand Forks and E/West Boundary will not hold director elections after Linda Kay Wiese and Sharen Gibbs, respectively, were elected by acclamation.
According to the RDKB's published election information, mail-ballot voting is available to all eligible electors, including those who cannot attend a polling station in person.
To request a package, voters must complete the RDKB's Application for Mail Ballot and submit it to the chief election officer or deputy chief election officer. Applications can be delivered in person to 843 Rossland Ave. in Trail, mailed to 202-843 Rossland Ave., Trail, B.C., V1R 4S8, or submitted by fax to 250-368-3990. The district also accepts applications by email through its election office.
Applications must include the voter's full name, residential address and preferred method of receiving the ballot package. Non-resident property electors must also provide the address of the property for which they are voting. Applicants who are not already on the voters list must indicate whether they will register as resident or non-resident property electors.
Voters requesting a mail-ballot package must provide one piece of identification. The RDKB accepts scanned or photographed identification by email, identification submitted by fax, or identification presented in person during an appointment with the chief election officer.
The district says voters who prefer in-person verification can arrange an appointment by calling 250-231-4748. A mail-ballot package can be issued during that appointment.
For voters planning to collect their packages, the RDKB's published schedule lists two deadlines on Tuesday, Oct. 13. It gives 1 p.m. as the deadline to pick up a mail-ballot package at the Trail office and 4:30 p.m. as the deadline to pick up a ballot at the same location. The district's published information does not explain the distinction between the two deadlines. Voters planning to collect their packages should contact the election office before the earlier 1 p.m. cutoff to confirm the applicable arrangements.
Completed mail-ballot packages can be returned to the RDKB's Trail office until 4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 16. The district also allows completed packages to be returned to a voting station until 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17.
Ballots received after 8 p.m. on general voting day will not be counted. Voters choosing postal delivery must allow sufficient time for their completed ballots to reach the election office.
Eligible resident electors must be Canadian citizens, at least 18 years old, residents of British Columbia for at least six months before registering, and residents of the RDKB at the time of registration. Non-resident property electors must meet additional ownership and eligibility requirements.
For Christina Lake residents who prefer to vote in person, general voting takes place Saturday, Oct. 17, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Christina Lake Community Hall, 90 Park Rd. The advance-voting opportunity was held Wednesday, Oct. 7.
Voters registering in person must provide two pieces of identification, at least one bearing their signature. The RDKB also has procedures for voters whose identification does not show their residential address.
The RDKB's mail-ballot deadlines apply to its electoral-area elections. Grand Forks, Greenwood and Midway administer their own municipal elections, while School District 51 has separate trustee-election arrangements.
Further information, including the mail-ballot application form and election notices, is available through the RDKB's 2026 Elections page. Voters can also contact chief election officer Anitra Winje at 250-231-4748.
Voters in Christina Lake can still arrange to collect a mail-ballot package from the Regional District of Kootenay Boundary (RDKB) ahead of the Oct. 17 general local election, following the expiry of Friday's deadline to request a package through Canada Post.