What to know about voting in the 2026 Abbotsford-Mission byelection

Advertisement 1 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Breadcrumb Trail Links HomeNewsLocal NewsPolitics What to know about voting in the 2026 Abbotsford-Mission byelection Voters in the Abbotsford-Mission riding head to the polls starting this week to determine who will be their new MLA. Author of the article: By Stephanie Ip Published Sep 18, 2026 Last updated 19 hours ago 2 minute read Join the conversation Conservative Leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay, right, is running for a legislative seat in the riding vacated by Reann Gasper, left, who is now Findlay's chief of staff. PHOTO BY ARLEN REDEKOP /PNG Article content Controversy continues to follow the B.C. Conservatives and its leader, Kerry-Lynne Findlay. Article content Seven MLAs left the B.C. Tories in August, with two more following in early September, many citing concerns over Findlay’s leadership as their reason for leaving caucus. Article content Article content Of those who have left, seven have now joined together in a new, yet-to-be-named, centre right political party. Article content Article content Since the 2024 election, 16 of the 44 MLAs elected under the B.C. Conservative banner have left, been expelled or resigned. Article content Sunrise Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. Sign Up By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Article content The shuffling comes as Findlay herself is still without a seat in the legislature, something that will be determined this month as voters in Abbotsford-Mission vote in a byelection. Article content Read on for everything you need to know about the Abbotsford-Mission byelection: Article content Why is there a byelection in the riding of Abbotsford-Mission? Article content John Rustad was ousted as leader of the B.C. Conservatives late last year, following reports of infighting, the resignation of several MLAs and a controversial leadership review spurred by what many saw as his inability to keep the party unified. Article content Findlay was selected as the party’s new leader in May 2026, her first foray into provincial politics following past experience in the federal Parliament. Article content But because she didn’t hold an elected seat, Abbotsford-Mission MLA Reanne Gasper stepped down to allow Findlay to run in that riding. Gasper won the riding in 2024 with 55.4 per cent of the…