BCSTA encourages British Columbians to make a plan to vote in the October 17 school trustee elections
VANCOUVER, B.C. — With the recent call for a provincial general election on October 24, British Columbians will head to the polls twice in the coming weeks: first on October 17 to elect their local governments and school boards, and again one week later to choose their next provincial government.
The British Columbia School Trustees Association (BCSTA) respects the democratic process and encourages every eligible British Columbian to take part in both elections. As campaigns unfold side by side, the BCSTA wants to remind the province that the local vote deserves equal attention and should not get lost in the conversation.
School board elections matter. Trustees in B.C.’s 60 public school districts make decisions that shape the daily experience of more than 550,000 students across the province, from budgets and school facilities to local programs, student supports, and the priorities that reflect each community’s needs. While the government sets education funding and curriculum, school boards decide how to allocate those resources in local schools to best serve students and communities. Trustees are the elected officials closest to B.C. classrooms, and the only elected role whose sole focus is public education and student achievement.
“School board decisions touch students’ lives every day. The choices voters make on October 17, 2026, will be felt in classrooms, families and communities for the next four years,” said Tracy Loffler, BCSTA President. “With two elections so close together, we’re encouraging British Columbians not to let the local vote get lost. Learn about your trustee candidates in your community and vote.”
Voters can find information about candidates, voting locations and advance voting opportunities through their local government’s election office. Additional information and resources on the role of school trustees are available at www.bcsta.org/elections
The BCSTA thanks candidates who have put their name forward to serve as a school trustee, and all British Columbians who will take part in both elections this fall.
About BCSTA
The BC School Trustees Association (BCSTA) represents and supports boards of education across British Columbia, promoting good governance and advocating for public education on behalf of more than 400 trustees and over 550,000 students provincewide.
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Media Contact:
Monique Atwal
Manager of Communications
matwal@bcsta.org