10/24/2026
VOTING METHODS FOR THE 2027 GENERAL ELECTION
Online voting will not be offered for the Whitefish River First Nation general election on February 20, 2027. The current Election Code does not provide sufficient instructions for online voting in a general election. Offering online voting could leave the election open to appeal and put its validity at risk. Chief and Council must therefore proceed with the clear voting methods provided for in the current Code. Rest assured, past elections remain valid as the appeal periods have passed.
To permit online voting in future general elections, the Election Code must first be amended through its required process for community participation and approval. Online voting cannot simply be added as an administrative option. Voters are encouraged to participate in the code review and amendment work in the new year to help shape proposed changes.
For this election, voters will have two options:
• In-person voting: Voting will take place on one day only on Saturday, February 20, 2027, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Mail-in voting: Ballots will be mailed out at least 35 days before election day and must be received by 8 p.m. on February 20, 2027, to be counted. Late ballots will not be counted. Please return ballots promptly to allow sufficient delivery time.
The Electoral Officer, Governance Department and legal counsel will host an engagement session in the coming weeks to explain the voting process and answer questions. We recognize that some voters may be disappointed that online voting is unavailable but encourage everyone to participate using the options provided.
Chief and Council remain committed to a clear, accessible and fair election conducted in accordance with the WRFN Custom Election Code (2018). Chi miigwech for participating in this election and helping strengthen our election process for the future.
Miigwech,
Whitefish River First Nation Chief and Council
