The official results of the 2026 School District 72 trustee election in British Columbia are expected to be declared before 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, October 21, following a review of a ballot instruction error that resulted in 140 ballots being rejected in the City of Campbell River.
Election officials have determined that the mistake, which occurred during advance voting and affected some mail ballots, did not materially change the election outcome. The review considered the preliminary results, the margin separating the fifth- and sixth-place candidates, and the number of rejected ballots.
The incident has raised questions about ballot preparation and election administration, prompting officials to review existing procedures to prevent similar problems in future elections.
Ballot Instruction Error Identified During Advance Voting
The issue involved incorrect voting instructions printed on ballots used during an advance voting opportunity on October 7, 2026.
The ballots incorrectly instructed voters that they could select up to seven school trustee candidates. However, the election rules permitted voters to choose no more than five candidates.
The discrepancy was publicly announced on October 9, after election officials identified the problem.
Once the error was discovered, election workers began providing verbal instructions explaining the correct voting requirements.
Under the applicable voting rules, ballots containing selections for more than five trustee candidates were rejected for the school trustee election. Votes in that portion of the affected ballots were excluded from the count.
Ballots containing selections for five or fewer candidates remained valid and were included in the election results.
140 Ballots Rejected in Campbell River Trustee Election
Election officials confirmed that 140 ballots submitted by City of Campbell River voters were rejected because they contained more trustee selections than permitted.
Breakdown of Rejected Ballots
The rejected ballots were distributed across advance voting and mail voting:
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109 ballots were cast during advance voting on October 7, before officials began providing corrected verbal instructions.
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12 ballots were cast during the same advance voting opportunity after verbal corrections were introduced.
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15 mail ballots were received before updated voting instructions were provided.
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4 mail ballots were received after updated instructions were made available.
The figures indicate that most rejected ballots were submitted before corrective measures were implemented.
However, 16 ballots were rejected after updated instructions had been provided, demonstrating that the corrective measures did not eliminate all instances of voters selecting too many candidates.
The election update did not provide the total number of ballots cast or the precise vote margin between the fifth- and sixth-place candidates.
Corrective Measures Introduced Before General Voting Day
Following identification of the ballot error, election administrators introduced several measures intended to reduce confusion and ensure voters received accurate instructions.
Updated Ballots and Voter Guidance
Corrected ballots were prepared for the October 14 advance voting opportunity and the October 17 general voting day.
Election officials also included revised ballots in mail voting packages that had not yet been collected when the updated materials became available.
Where possible, voters received verbal guidance explaining the maximum number of candidates they could select.
These measures were intended to prevent additional ballots from being rejected because of the incorrect printed instructions.
Election Officials Say Results Were Not Materially Affected
Following a review of the preliminary election results, election administrators concluded that the ballot instruction error did not materially affect the outcome of the School District 72 trustee election.
Their assessment considered both the number of rejected ballots and the difference in votes between the candidates occupying fifth and sixth place.
Because voters were permitted to elect five trustees, the margin between those two positions was particularly relevant in determining whether the rejected ballots could have changed the election results.
Officials have therefore indicated that the official results will proceed toward declaration despite the identified administrative error.
Review Planned to Strengthen Future Election Procedures
Election officials acknowledged the importance of maintaining public confidence in the fairness, accuracy and transparency of local elections.
The circumstances surrounding the ballot error, including how the incorrect instructions appeared on voting materials and how election administrators responded, will be examined as part of a procedural review.
The review is expected to inform improvements aimed at reducing the likelihood of similar mistakes in future elections.
With the official declaration scheduled for October 21, the immediate focus remains on finalizing the trustee election results while addressing concerns about ballot accuracy and election administration in Campbell River.
The incident highlights the importance of clear voting instructions, effective ballot verification and timely corrective action in maintaining confidence in local democratic processes.
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