Candidate Information for Municipal Elections
When are municipal elections?
The next general municipal election will be held on Monday, November 2, 2026 for all municipalities except the Resort Municipality which will hold their general municipal election on August 10, 2026. General municipal elections are held every four years. (Section 37)
Municipal by-elections will take place as vacancies on councils occur. By-elections must occur within six months of a vacancy. (Section 60-1)
Exceptions (Section 60-3):
- A council may hold a vacancy open until the next general election only if (3) (a) the vacancy occurs in the last twelve months of the council’s term; and (b) despite the vacancy, council is able to maintain a quorum
What are the rules for running a municipal election?
Election (and by-election) processes are the same for all municipalities and the procedures for elections are guided by the Municipal Government Act (MGA), the Municipal Election Regulations, the Campaign Contributions and Election Expenses Bylaw Regulations, and the Plebiscite Regulations.
View the Municipal Elections Page for more information.
All municipalities must adopt a Campaign Contributions and Election Expenses Bylaw. Municipalities can include other election-related rules in their Election Bylaw. Be sure to check your municipality's election bylaw for additional rules.
- Are a Canadian citizen
- Are at least 18 years of age or older
- Have been ordinarily a resident in the municipality for a period of at least six months before the election
I am a municipal employee – can I run for office?
What is the timeline for nominating candidates?
All elections require a nomination period. The nomination period will be from the 4th Wednesday before the election (by-election) day to the 3rd Friday before the election (by-election) day. Nominations must be received by 2:00 pm on nomination day (the 3rd Friday before the election or by-election day). 2026 Nomination period is October 7 - 16, 2026.
If not enough candidates are nominated to fill the council positions, the nomination period will be extended by an additional 7 days. There will be an immediate electronic notice in the municipality, if this is the case. (election regulations section 34)
How do I know who is running for office in my municipality?
Do I have to live in the ward where I wish to run?
How do I become nominated?
Five or more qualified electors within the municipality (or the ward if the municipality is divided into wards) may nominate a candidate during the nomination period or extended nomination period.
A municipality can, by bylaw, increase the number of nominators, so long as it is not more than 10.
The candidate completes this Municipal Nominations Form and then must file it with the Municipal Electoral Officer or Returning Officer as directed by the municipality by the deadline. (October 16, 2026)
A municipality, can require by bylaw, that a nomination deposit be paid. If a municipality does have a bylaw for a nomination deposit, the maximum amount permitted is $200 and the bylaw must describe if the deposit is refundable and under what circumstances it is refundable, in accordance with the regulations.
What do I do if I want to remove myself as a candidate?
If a candidate wants to be deemed as not officially nominated, they must withdraw from the municipal election before 2:00 pm on nomination day (October 16, 2022) (the 3rd Friday before the election or by-election day November 2, 2022).
A candidate must file a Candidate Withdrawal Form (Pre- Nomination Day) with the Municipal Electoral Officer stating that they officially withdraw.
An officially nominated candidate can withdraw from the election after nomination day until the end of the close of polls by filing a Candidate Withdrawal Form with the MEO. If the ballots cannot be changed in time for the election, the votes for that candidate are not counted. However, if a candidate was elected by acclamation, their withdrawal after that time is a resignation and another by-election must be held.
When a candidate withdraws, their nomination deposit (if one was required) will stay with the municipality.
Are there rules for election campaign fundraising?
Yes, the rules for fundraising and campaign expenses are set out in the Campaign Contributions and Election Expenses Bylaw Regulations and the municipality's election bylaw. Visit Municipal Election Campaigns for more information.
Are there resources available for women who want to run for municipal council?
- PEI Coalition for Women in Government
- Elections PEI – Women in Politics
- PEI Advisory Council on the Status of Women