Advance polling took place June 16 and the regular polls take place June 26 in what is a crowded field as Lake Babine Nation voters choose their council for the next three years.

Incumbent chief councillor Wilf Adam is running again, facing Gordon Alec, Cindy Lowley, Mary-Ann Poirier and Fred William.

There are 26 people running for the four Woyennne community council positions. That list is incumbents Darcy Dennis, Melvin Jospeh and Derek C. MacDonald with Bev Abraham, Kelsey Abraham, Mildred Abraham, Murphy Abraham, Scott V. Abraham, Cindy Adam (MacDonald), Vanessa Bull, Annette Casimir, Cheyene Crouse (Dennis), Nick Erickson, Rhoda Hallgren, Crystal Dawn Harwood, Stan Lowely, Fabian Michell, Frank Michell, Eugene Patrick, Bridget R. Peter, Jacob Tom, Victor Tom, Alec West Sr., Ronnie West, Clarence Williams Sr. and Nancy Williams also running. Current councillor Darren S. Patrick is not running again.

There are two spots on the council from the Fort Babine community and incumbent councillor (and deputy chief councillor) Bessie West is running again with Brenda Lolly, Michael Wayne Patrick, Robbie Reid, John West, Sonny West, Garnet Ebert William, Victor William, Colin Williams and Jonathan J. Wilson also running. Current councillor Clara Williams is not running again.

The Tachet community also has two spots on the council with the two incumbents, Delores Alec and Mildred M. George running again. Ronald George, Wayne Noland Johnson, Paul Jospeh, Shane Modine and Tom Johnson are also running.

The Old Fort community has one spot on the council and incumbent Verna Power is seeking another term. Dinah Alec and Marlene Alec round out the candidate list there.

Polling stations are being set up in Woyenne, Tachet and Fort Babine and for nation voters who live away, there will also be polling stations in Prince George, Smithers and Vancouver.

Voters are reminded to bring two pieces of identification to the polling stations.

The Fort Babine Nation is the second largest in the north with members not only living in local communities but spread through the province.

The new council will be sworn in on July 4.