A general election is held every two years to elect members to school councils. After the May 2026 election, the next general election will be in spring 2028. 

Check the school attendance area maps or contact Richard Poirier, School Council Liaison, by emailing [email protected] or calling (867) 332-7249.

Between 3 and 7 members will be elected to each council. The number of elected members on each school council is specified by the Minister of Education and the Education Act. 

If elected or acclaimed, your term will begin on the day before the first day of school following polling day. To find out when the first day of school is in your community, refer to the school calendar available on Yukon.ca.

School council returning officers do not have offices and are available as required. Outside of an election period, contact Elections Yukon at [email protected] or (867) 667-8683.

During a school council election, the name and contact information for your returning officer will be available from the school, posted notices, and on this page. 

Learn what school councils do

If you have questions about what members of a school council do:

• Review the information on Yukon.ca
• Contact the Department of Education's school council liaison
• Read the school council resource guide: Serving on a school council resource guide, developed by the Association of Yukon School Councils, Boards & Committees
• Review the booklet: Information for candidates and council members of Yukon Catholic schools, developed by the Catholic Education Association of Yukon.

To vote in the election, all four of these criteria must be met:

1. Canadian citizen,
2. 18 years or older at time of voting,
   AND
3. Qualified for voting in the attendance area; 
   1. see the qualification requirements section for more information
4. Have not already voted in the attendance area in the school council election

Qualification Requirements for School Councils

Eligibility in an attendance area differs depending on the type of school council. Being qualified means meeting one of the listed conditions for the corresponding type:

For School Councils:

Qualifications for School Councils

• Resident of the attendance area for three months or more
  OR
• Parent² of a child attending the school.

For Catholic School Councils:

Qualifications for Catholic School Councils

• Resident of the attendance area for three months or more and also currently a registered member of either of these two parishes³: Sacred Heart Cathedral or Lady of Victory.
  OR
• Parent² of a child attending the school
  OR
• Issued approval that is recognized by the Bishop of the Catholic Episcopal Corporation designating you as resident for electoral purposes (e.g., letter of approval, etc.)

• ²Parent: Refers to the biological parents, the adoptive parents by custom or otherwise, the persons legally
                 entitled to custody, or the persons who usually have the care and control of the child.
• ³Parishes: Catholic school elections also require you to be a registered member of an approved parish.
                   Unregistered Catholics may contact the Catholic Diocese of Whitehorse to discuss their options.

If an election is to be held for a school council, voting will be available at the polling place established by the returning officer. Polling places are typically located in a school.

Dates and Voting Locations

Documents for Voters

If you will be away during the election period (April 16-May 11, 2026), you can vote by mail-in ballot. 

Applications for mail-in ballots will be made available at the start of the election period, on April 16, 2026. 

Mail-in Ballot Applications and Oaths

Mail-in Ballot Applications and Oaths for Catholic Schools

Documents for Voters

Mail-in ballots are an option to vote early, although actual mailing out or return has been very infrequent. Electors must consider mail delivery timelines to ensure receipt and return of the mail-in ballot by the close of polls.

More information, including applications to vote by mail-in ballot, will be made available on April 16, 2026. 

Yes. The Education Act defines parents as:

• The biological parents,
• the adoptive parents by custom or otherwise,
• the persons legally entitled to custody, or
• the persons who usually have the care and control of the child. 

Documents for Voters

To run as a candidate in the election, all four of these criteria must be met:

1. Canadian citizen,
2. 18 years or older at time of voting,
   AND
3. Qualified for voting in the attendance area; 
   1. see the qualification requirements section for more information
4. Have not already voted in the attendance area in the school council election

Qualification Requirements for School Councils

Eligibility in an attendance area differs depending on the type of school council. Being qualified means meeting one of the listed conditions for the corresponding type:

For School Councils:

Qualifications for School Councils

• Resident of the attendance area for three months or more
  OR
• Parent² of a child attending the school.

For Catholic School Councils:

Qualifications for Catholic School Councils

• Resident of the attendance area for three months or more and also currently a registered member of either of these two parishes³: Sacred Heart Cathedral or Lady of Victory. 
  OR

• Parent² of a child attending the school
  OR

• Issued approval that is recognized by the Bishop of the Catholic Episcopal Corporation designating you as resident for electoral purposes (e.g., letter of approval, etc.)

• ²Parent: Refers to the biological parents, the adoptive parents by custom or otherwise, the persons legally
                 entitled to custody, or the persons who usually have the care and control of the child.
• ³Parishes: Catholic school elections also require you to be a registered member of an approved parish.
                   Unregistered Catholics may contact the Catholic Diocese of Whitehorse to discuss their options.

To be a candidate, a properly completed nomination paper must be filed with the returning officer for the school's attendance area.

Nomination forms and instructions on how to complete them will be available once the election starts. 

Key dates for the 2026 school council elections can be found at the top of this page. 

Yes. You can be elected for any school council for which you are a confirmed candidate. 

No. You must submit your nomination paper to the returning officer appointed to the school council election for the school for which you wish to be a candidate. 

Yes. You can withdraw your name anytime before the polls open on polling day. You must provide the returning officer with notice of your withdrawal—in writing.

Candidates whose nomination papers have been accepted and approved by the returning officer will be elected by acclamation. 

A vote will be held.