Maple Ridge households will receive information about the Oct. 17 local election

Maple Ridge is preparing for its 2026 Local General Election on Saturday, Oct. 17, and households will receive a voter information mailout. It explains how to vote by mail, in advance or on General Voting Day, and includes information about the assent vote process on up to $393 million in long-term borrowing for three proposed recreation projects. Voters do not need to bring the mailout to vote.

With a provincial election campaign also underway, the city says residents may encounter confusion amid the volume of election information in the coming weeks. The Maple Ridge local election is separate from the provincial election, with different candidates, ballots, assent vote questions, voting locations and dates.

Chief Election Officer Carolyn Mushata said the city wants residents to have clear information about where, when and how to vote in the local election before casting a ballot. She described the mailout as a resource outlining voting options and the assent vote questions, and encouraged residents to review it, check which election it applies to and plan their vote.

On Oct. 17, Maple Ridge voters will elect one mayor, six councillors and five school trustees for School District No. 42. Elected officials will serve four-year terms from November 2026 to October 2030. The full candidate list is at MapleRidge.ca/2026Candidates. Voters will also decide three separate assent vote questions on proposed long-term borrowing for the Hammond Aquatics and Recreation Centre, Hammond Multi-Use Community Park and Albion Twin-Rink Arena Expansion. Each question is decided separately and passes if more than 50 per cent of valid votes cast are Yes.

Residents can vote by mail, at an advance voting opportunity or on General Voting Day. Voting locations, hours and eligibility details are at MapleRidge.ca/GoVote. Eligible voters can apply now for a mail ballot at that website; ballots will be available for pick-up in early October. Completed mail ballots must reach the Chief Election Officer by 8 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, to be counted.

Advance voting runs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on each date. On Wednesday, Oct. 7, voting is at Albion Community Centre (24165 104 Ave.) or St. Luke's Hall (20285 Dewdney Trunk Rd.). On Saturday, Oct. 10, it is at Ridge Meadows Seniors Activity Centre (12150 224 St.). On Wednesday, Oct. 14, voters can attend Albion Community Centre or St. Luke's Hall. On Thursday, Oct. 15, voting is available at Albion Community Centre, St. Luke's Hall or Fraserview Village Hall (22610 116 Ave.).

On General Voting Day, Saturday, Oct. 17, polls are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Whonnock Elementary School (27471 112 Ave.); Garibaldi Secondary School (24789 Dewdney Trunk Rd.); Albion Community Centre (24165 104 Ave.); Yennadon Elementary School (23347 128 Ave.); Ridge Meadows Seniors Activity Centre (12150 224 St.); Laity View Elementary School (21023 123 Ave.); Hammond Elementary School (11520 203 St.); and Thomas Haney Secondary School (23000 116 Ave.).

Eligible residents who are not on the provincial voters list can register when voting by providing two pieces of identification showing their name and residential address. For voting information, including locations, eligibility and mail ballot applications, visit MapleRidge.ca/GoVote or email Election@MapleRidge.ca.