Candidate Information for Municipal Elections

When are municipal elections?

General municipal elections are held every four years with the next general municipal election on Monday, November 2, 2026 for all municipalities. The Resort Municipality's general municipal election on August 10, 2026. 

Municipal by-elections will take place as vacancies on councils occur.  By-elections must occur within six months of a vacancy, unless a vacancy occurs in the last year of the term of office and council can 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 Municipal Elections Page for more information.
• Election Guidebook
• Contact your municipality to view their election bylaw for additional rules.
• Municipal Election Campaign Fundraising and Expenses
• Election Offences and penalties

Who can run for municipal office?

You can run for municipal office if you*:

• 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

*Different rules apply in the Resort Municipality 

I am a municipal employee – can I run for office?

Municipal employees may run for office after seeking and receiving a leave of absence from the municipality.  If elected, that employee must resign from their employment.

What is the timeline for nominating candidates?

The 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.  

How do I know who is running for office in my municipality?

Contact your municipality’s election office to find out who is running for office.  Public notice of the nominated candidates will be issued by the Municipal Electoral Officer after the close of nominations.  A notice of nominated candidates must be displayed in the municipality’s election office.    

Do I have to live in the ward where I wish to run?

If your municipality has established wards through a bylaw, you are not required to live in that ward but you must be nominated by qualified electors living in that ward.  

Candidates cannot run for both positions of councillor and mayor – they can only be nominated for one position .

How do I become nominated?

A minimum of five qualified electors and up to a maximum of ten 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.  Contact your municipality to learn how many nominators are needed for your nomination form. The form must be filed 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, up to the maximum amount of $200. 

What do I do if I want to remove myself as a candidate?

If a candidate wants to withdraw from the municipal election before 2:00 pm on nomination day October 20, 2026 or by-election day November 2, 2026 the candidate must file a candidate withdrawal form with the Municipal Electoral Officer stating that they officially withdraw.

Once a candidates is officially nominated and wants to withdraw from the election they must file a  candidate withdrawal form.  If the ballots cannot be changed in time for the election, the votes for that candidate are not counted.  

If a candidate is elected by acclamation, their withdrawal after that time is considered 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 Campaign Fundraising and Expenses for more information. 

How do I run for office if I am a federal public servant?

There are steps you need to take with the Public Service Commission of Canada if you plan to seek  nomination. For more information visit the Government of Canada website.

Can I have an agent?

A candidate can appoint one or more agents to represent them at the election or any election proceeding.  The agent form must be filled out prior to appointing an agent.

How many agents can I appoint?

A candidate may appoint up to two agents to represent them at any one polling station.

Election Day

As a candidate, you or your agent:
•    will receive a copy of the voters list for election purposes only,
•    can be present at the polls (advanced or election day) to watch the activities and 
•    can be present to watch the counting process.

When the results come in:
•    If the votes are within 10 of a win there is a recount by the Municipal Electoral Officer (MEO)
•    If the votes are within 15 of a win the candidate or their agent can request a recount.

The results will be announced after the count by the MEO as unofficial results until after the date of a judicial review has passed. The MEO will notify the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) of the municipality who will in turn notify both the current council and Municipal Affairs within 10 days. 

What do I do when I am elected?

Visit Information for Council Members for details on next steps and resources.

Post Election

Every candidate, elected or not elected is required to complete a Campaign Contributions and Election Expenses for and provide it to the MEO or the CAO, even if the amount is zero.