Who’s on the ballot? A look at Vancouver’s 130 municipal candidates and the order they’ll appear

When you walk into a polling station in Vancouver on election day (October 17, 2026), the ballot you’ll be handed is a long sheet of paper that lists 130 names. Yes, you read that right – one‑hundred‑thirty. That number feels massive, especially if you’ve never voted in a municipal contest before, but the layout isn’t random. Elections BC follows a strict formula that groups candidates by the office they’re running for and then orders them alphabetically by last name within each group.

First up, right at the very top, is the mayoral race. It’s a single line – the name of the incumbent, Ken Sim, followed by any challengers who have filed the necessary paperwork. In this cycle there are three contenders: Ken Sim, Melissa “Mick” Morales, and Jonathan “Jon” Harper. Their names appear exactly in that alphabetical order.

Below the mayor, you’ll find the City Council section. Vancouver elects ten councillors at large, meaning the whole city votes for all ten spots. The ballot lists every council candidate in one column, again alphabetized by surname. That means you’ll see names like Alvarez, Cam, Baker, Liza, Cheng, Maya, and so on, all the way down to Wong, Zev. In total, there are 62 people vying for those ten seats.

After the council section, the Park Board appears. The Park Board is a bit of a hidden gem – it governs Vancouver’s green spaces, recreation facilities and even the city’s famous bike‑share program. Ten candidates are running for four available seats, and their names follow the same alphabetical rule. Expect to see familiar community activists like Gonzalez, Petra and newcomers such as Riley, Sam.

Next is the School Board. Vancouver has nine elected trustees who oversee public education, from elementary schools to the university level. This year there are 38 names on that part of the ballot, ranging from veteran educators to parents who just want a say in the curriculum. Names such as Chen, Aisha, McDonald, Brian, and Zhang, Yara will be listed alphabetically.

Finally, at the very bottom of the page, you’ll see the optional referendum questions and a short section for “any other nominations.” Those aren’t candidate names, but they do occupy space on the same sheet, making the overall count hit 130.

Why does the order matter? Mostly, it’s about fairness. By grouping offices and then alphabetizing, Elections BC tries to give each candidate an equal chance of being seen. There’s no “top‑of‑the‑list” advantage beyond the natural draw of the first few lines, which is why many campaigns spend extra effort on name‑recognition and early outreach.

If you’re feeling a bit overwhelmed by the sheer volume, you’re not alone. A quick tip: grab a copy of the official voter guide (available online and at community centres) that highlights the races you care about. Mark the sections you want to focus on with a highlighter – it makes the ballot feel less like a novel and more like a menu.

Remember, the ballot is just a piece of paper; the real power is in the choices you make. Whether you’re voting for a familiar incumbent or a fresh face, each tick adds a voice to Vancouver’s future. So, when that ballot lands in your hands, take a breath, scan the list, and cast your vote with confidence.