2026 Watson Lake Municipal Councillor By-Election
This page is where you will find important information and dates for the upcoming Municipal By-Election
Who Can Vote?
To be eligible to vote in the 2026 Municipal By-Election you must:
- Be a Canadian Citizen;
- Be 18 years or older on the day of the election (October 15, 2026);
- Have been a resident of and have resided in Watson Lake for at least 1 year prior to October 15, 2026; and,
- Be registered to vote.
How Do I Register to Vote?
Unsure if you are registered to vote in the 2026
Municipal By-Election? A list of electors can be viewed at the Town
Office (710 Adela Trail) Monday through Friday between 8:30am and 4:30pm.
Not on the list? We can help! Visit the Town Office to complete an Application for Registration. You will need to bring one piece of photo identification with your full legal name and address to complete the registration.
Please note that in order to vote by way of Special Ballot, you must be registered!
Special Ballots
To vote by way of Special Ballot you must be
registered to vote and are:
- Unable to leave your home;
- Unable to vote at an advance or regular poll because you will be out of town or unable to attend on polling day;
- A student, or spouse of a student, studying at an educational institution outside of the community;
- Unable to vote at an advance poll or regular poll because of your job or business; or,
- At possible risk of harm
if you attend a polling station in person.
Special Ballots packages will be delivered to
successful applicants and must be
returned to the Town Office no later than 2:00pm on October 15, 2026. No
Special Ballots will be accepted after this time. If you have questions about
Special Ballots, contact the Returning Officer for more information.
Please note that Special Ballots will not be mailed due to the tight turn around time for this by-election.
By-Election Returning Officer
The Returning Officer is the person appointed by Mayor and Council to conduct the Councillor By-Election.
Jenny Skelton has been appointed the Returning Officer for this 2026 Councillor By-Election. Jenny is available to answer questions, receive nominations, declarations, or oaths, and attend polling stations. Jenny can be reached by telephone at (867) 334-6566 or by email to jskelton@northwestel.net.
Key Dates
Wednesday, September 9, 2026
- Preliminary list of electors is published – visit the Town Office to view
- Applications to register as an elector/registered voter can be obtained at the Town Office (710 Adela Trail) between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm, Monday through Friday
- Councillor Nominations open – Candidate Packages will be
available at the Town Office (710 Adela Trail) between the hours of 8:30am and
4:30pm, Monday through Friday
Thursday, September 24, 2026
- Nomination deadline – Nomination papers must be
submitted to the Town Office no later than Noon on this day
Monday, October 5, 2026
- Special Ballots applications and voting
available upon request
Tuesday, October 13, 2026
- Mobile Poll available between the hours of 8:30am - 4:00pm on this day. Anyone needing to vote by mobile poll can contact the Returning Officer by telephone at (867) 334-6566.
Thursday, October 15, 2026
- Election Day – Regular poll held at the Morgan Chaddock Hall at the Watson Lake Recreation Centre between the hours of 8:00am and 8:00pm.
- Special Ballot poll closes at 2:00pm on this
day.
Interested in Running for Council?
Mayor and Council determine the strategic goals and priorities of the municipality and make key decisions that help shape the future of our community. Learn more about the roles and responsibilities of a Council by visiting our website! Check out our Running for Municipal Office page here:
Nomination Packages can be obtained at the Town Office starting on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, between the hours of 8:30am and 4:30pm, Monday through Friday.
Nominations papers must be delivered to the Town Office, no later than Thursday, September 24th at 12:00pm. Late nominations will not be accepted.
Contact us
Do you have other questions? Please contact the Municipal Clerk at 867-536-8000 ext. 9 or by email to cdo@watsonlake.ca .