Tuesday May 20, 2025 | SOOKE, BC
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
A by-election to fill one vacancy on District of Sooke council is now scheduled for Saturday July 12, 2025.
The by-election was called to fill the council seat left vacant by the election of former municipal councillor Dana Lajeunesse to the provincial legislature. Lajeunesse is now the MLA for Juan de Fuca-Malahat.
Candidate info session:
A candidate information session will be held tomorrow, Wednesday May 21 at 6 pm at Sooke municipal hall.
The session will provide prospective candidates with details about the election process, nomination requirements and the responsibility of serving on council.
Timeline:
The by-election date was not set much earlier than this due to awaiting the results of the federal election in which Sooke Mayor Maja Tait ran as the NDP candidate for Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke.
Tait did not win that seat in the April 28, 2025 general federal election and has returned to her role as mayor.
Key by-election dates:
- Candidate Information Session: May 21, 2025 (6:00 pm) at 2205 Otter Point Road – Council Chamber
- Nomination Period: May 27, 2025 (9:00 am) to June 6, 2025 (4:00 pm)
- Advance Voting Days: Wednesday, July 2, 2025 and Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at 2205 Otter Point Road – Council Chamber
More information on advance voting opportunities will be confirmed and posted here when available. - Special Voting Opportunity: Thursday, July 3, 2025 (12:30 pm to 2:30 pm) – 6744 Ayre Road Sooke, BC – Ayre Manor Lodge
- General Voting Day: Saturday, July 12, 2025
More information on the general voting opportunity will be confirmed and posted here when available. - Mail Ballot Voting:
Information on how to request a mail ballot will be posted soon. Mail ballots must be received by the Chief Election Officer by the close of voting on July 12, 2025.
Questions? Contact the Chief Election Officer at 250-642-1634 or email elections@sooke.ca
Next province-wide municipal election:
Mayor and six councillors will complete a four-year term as District of Sooke council up until the next BC-wide municipal election which is scheduled for October 17, 2026.
===== RELATED:
- NDP candidate Maja Tait enters federal politics during socioeconomic shift (March 27, 2025)
- Dana Lajeunesse launches into his new role as Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility (February 23, 2025)
- MLA-elect Dana Lajeunesse resigns from District of Sooke council (November 8, 2024)
- Maja Tait kickstarts her federal campaign in Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke (September 1, 2023)
- NEWS SECTIONS: SOOKE | BC MUNICIPAL 2026 | SOUTH VANCOUVER ISLAND | POLITICS