Nanaimo’s guide to the 2026 B.C. election

B.C.’s provincial election is on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026. Advance voting runs Oct. 16 to 21.

This guide lists the candidates, their websites and their parties’ platforms as well as where and how to vote for your MLA in B.C.’s snap election. The Discourse sent three reader questions to every MLA candidate in the Nanaimo region, we’ll add their answers once they come in.

What riding am I in?

Nanaimo is split between two ridings:

Nanaimo-Gabriola Island covers southern parts of Nanaimo and Gabriola Island. Some areas south of the city, such as Cassidy, vote in Ladysmith-Oceanside.

Nanaimo-Lantzville covers areas in north Nanaimo and Lantzville.

Not sure what area you’re in? Look up your address with the Where to Vote tool.

Who’s running?

Candidates are listed alphabetically by last name. This list comes from the Elections BC final candidate list, published after nominations closed on Oct. 3.

Nanaimo-Gabriola Island

• Mark MacDonald, Conservative Party — party profile
• Sheila Malcolmson, BC NDP (incumbent) — website
• Anna Mary McKenzie, BC Green Party — party profile

Nanaimo-Lantzville

• George Anderson, BC NDP (incumbent) — website
• Kelsey Pringle, Conservative Party — party profile
• Pepper Saltman, Communist Party of B.C. — party profile
• Sharleen Weatherley, BC Green Party — party profile

What do the candidates stand on the issues I care about?

We asked every candidate questions based on what Nanaimo readers told us matters most. Topics include support for mental health and addictions, family doctors and passenger rail. Answers are still to come, and we’ll share them here when they’re available.

Party platforms

These links go to each party’s own pages, checked Oct. 20, 2026. Platforms may change before voting day.

• BC NDP: Our Plan, with a costing document and commitments available on the page.
• Conservative Party of B.C.: Our Plan document with costing within and campaign commitments announced on the page.
• BC Green Party: Our Plan document with costing within and campaign commitments, or “platform planks” available on the page.
• Communist Party of B.C.: Our Platform. (Nanaimo-Lantzville and Cowichan Valley.)
• Christian Heritage Party of B.C.: Platform priorities. (Juan de Fuca-Malahat only.)
• OneBC: Priorities. (Juan de Fuca-Malahat only.)

The leaders of the NDP, Conservatives and Greens debated on Oct. 14. Watch the broadcast here.

Who can vote

You can vote if you are a Canadian citizen, 18 or older on Oct. 24, 2026, and have lived in B.C. since April 23, 2026 (Elections BC).

How and when to vote

• Advance voting: Oct. 16 to 21. You don’t need a reason to vote early, and you can vote at any advance voting place in the province (Elections BC).
• Vote by mail: Request a package by Oct. 18. Elections BC must receive your completed package by 8 p.m. on Oct. 24 (Elections BC).
• Final voting day: Saturday, Oct. 24, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. 
• ID: You need to prove who you are and where you live. You can bring one piece of government-issued photo ID with your address, two documents with your name (one with your address), or have someone vouch for you (Elections BC).
• Time off work: Employees are entitled to four consecutive hours free from work during voting hours on voting day.

Where to vote

Use the Where to Vote tool to find your riding, advance voting places and your voting place on Oct. 24. Elections BC can also be reached at 1-800-661-8683.