Information for Candidates |
The decision to run for office in a local government presents an exciting and rewarding opportunity. The following information has been provided to assist candidates in understanding the election process and the associated responsibilities.
 |
Candidates' Handbook |
|
Advertising and Signage |
|
Nomination Procedures | |
Campaign Contributions and Expenses |
|
Election Forms |
|
Legislation |
Please note that candidate information/training sessions are also available through the Government of Alberta. These sessions are provided free of charge and designed to help candidates prepare for elected office and plan their campaigns. As space is limited, candidates are encouraged to register early. To learn more or to register for a session, please visit www.elections2010.info
Candidates' Handbook
Interested in serving your community? Curious about what’s involved in serving as a member of City Council or School Trustee? Want to know various election rules and regulations? The City has prepared a Candidates’ Handbook to provide all this information and more, in one comprehensive document.A digital copy of the Candidates’ Handbook is available by clicking HERE or hard copies of the handbook are also available at:
- Legislative Services
Third floor, St. Albert Place
5 St. Anne Street
St. Albert, AB
| back to top |
Nomination Procedures
Candidate EligibilityTo be eligible for election, a candidate must be:
- eligible to vote,
- a resident of the jurisdiction (i.e. St. Albert) for the six months immediately preceding Nomination Day (as of March 20, 2010); or in the case of a candidate for school trustee, a resident of the school district or division ward for the six months immediately preceding Nomination Day; and
- not ineligible under Section 22, 23 or 24 of the Local Authorities Election Act, or disqualified under Section 174 of the Municipal Government Act or Section 82 of the School Act.
The Returning Officer will receive each candidate’s originally signed nomination paper for either the Municipal or School Board elections from 8 a.m. until noon on September 20, 2010 in the:
- East Boardroom
Third floor, St. Albert Place
5 St. Anne Street
St. Albert, AB
Nomination papers are available through the Forms section below or in person from the Legislative Services department on the third floor of St. Albert Place.
Nominator Eligibility
For each candidate’s nomination to be valid, the candidate must have five eligible voters sign his or her nomination paper. Candidates are encouraged, however, to seek more than five signatures in case a nominator is found to be ineligible.
A nominator must be:
- at least 18 years old,
- a Canadian citizen,
- a resident of St. Albert for six consecutive months prior to Election Day (as of April 18, 2010), and
- a resident of St. Albert on the date of signing the nomination paper and on Election Day
When candidates file nomination papers, they are requested to bring a photograph (digital) of themselves for posting on the City’s website, with permission. Candidates are also requested to provide the City of St. Albert with current contact information, for the use of the Returning Officer and the local media, with permission.
Withdrawal of Nomination
As per section 32(2) of the Local Authorities Election Act, a candidate may withdraw his/her nomination by filing the withdrawal, in writing, with the Returning Officer by 12 noon on Tuesday, September 21, 2010. After that time, the candidate’s name must appear on the ballot. A fax transmission cannot be accepted for withdrawal of nomination.
Viewing of Filed Nomination Papers
After 12 noon on Nomination Day, any person who is eligible to vote in the election may request to examine the nomination papers. Copies of nomination papers will be available for viewing at Legislative Services, third floor, St. Albert Place.
| back to top |
Election Forms
Click on the following links to download election forms for candidates.| back to top |
Advertising and Signage
How a candidate campaigns (whether through word of mouth, signage, media interviews, etc.) is based on the candidate’s wishes; however, the following regulations must be observed.Printing
It is unlawful to print or distribute in any campaign advertisement, handbill, placard, poster, circular, pamphlet, newspaper or other paper a representation of the form of a ballot which shows or indicates it is to be marked for any candidate(s).
To assist candidates with door-to-door campaigning, the City notes that there are approximately 23,000 dwelling units in the City of St. Albert. Maps may be purchased from the Planning and Development Department, on the second floor of St. Albert Place.
Campaign Material in Voting Stations
Campaign material is not permitted inside buildings in which the voting stations are located. Campaign buttons or other visible campaign material should be removed prior to entering the voting stations.
Logo Usage
As an objective process facilitator, the City of St. Albert will not permit usage of the City's logo or election logo for candidate advertising or promotional materials.
As an objective process facilitator, the City of St. Albert will not permit usage of the City's logo or election logo for candidate advertising or promotional materials.
Campaign Signage
The placement of campaign signage during the election is governed by the City’s Land Use Bylaw and Traffic Bylaw. Election signs are permitted uses in all districts and no development permits are required, provided the sign complies with all sign regulations.
Highways upon which municipal or school election signs may be placed are as follows:
No sign may:
For more information regarding signage, please contact St. Albert Municipal Enforcement at 780-458-4300 or refer to the Municipal Sign Regulations.
Campaign Contributions and Expenses
On February 3, 2010, the Local Authorities Election (Finance and Contribution Disclosure) Amendment Act, 2009 was proclaimed and, on April 22, 2010, the Local Authorities Election Statutes Amendment Act, 2010 was proclaimed. These acts made a number of important changes to the manner in which City Council candidates are required to account for and report contributions and expenses related to their campaign. Note that School Board Trustee candidates are not affected by this legislation.
The placement of campaign signage during the election is governed by the City’s Land Use Bylaw and Traffic Bylaw. Election signs are permitted uses in all districts and no development permits are required, provided the sign complies with all sign regulations.
Highways upon which municipal or school election signs may be placed are as follows:
|
|
- Be posted before noon on Nomination Day or 24 hours after the closing of voting on Election Day.
- Interfere with, be confused with, detract from or be placed on a Traffic Control Device, sign or other municipal device, such as a light pole.
- Be placed within 5 metres of a fire hydrant or emergency use equipment, within 30.5 m of any intersection, on a road or median, on/within a vehicle/trailer (unless it is classified as a Motor Vehicle Sign), or be placed on any public building.
- Interfere with sight lines near roadways, or with the movement of pedestrians and/or vehicles.
- Constitute a hazard to the public.
- Exceed 1.5 sq. m in sign area, or 3 m in sign height, in residential areas.
For more information regarding signage, please contact St. Albert Municipal Enforcement at 780-458-4300 or refer to the Municipal Sign Regulations.
| back to top |
Campaign Contributions and Expenses
On February 3, 2010, the Local Authorities Election (Finance and Contribution Disclosure) Amendment Act, 2009 was proclaimed and, on April 22, 2010, the Local Authorities Election Statutes Amendment Act, 2010 was proclaimed. These acts made a number of important changes to the manner in which City Council candidates are required to account for and report contributions and expenses related to their campaign. Note that School Board Trustee candidates are not affected by this legislation. Previously, election candidates within the City of St. Albert were required to account for their campaign contributions and expenses by the Election Contribution and Expense Disclosure Bylaw 6/2001. Due to the above changes in provincial legislation, this bylaw has been repealed.
Summary of new requirements:
Summary of new requirements:
- From January 1 of the year following an election, to December 31 of the year of an election, candidates must account for their campaign contributions and expenses. In the case of this election, the campaign period would be from February 3 to December 31, 2010.
- Candidates must give receipts for all campaign contributions and keep receipts of all expenditures. This applies to both monetary contributions and donations-in-kind, which must be recorded as a contribution at market value. Note that volunteers receiving no compensation are not deemed a contribution for disclosure purposes.
- The total of all contributions from any donation source may not exceed $5,000; however, candidates may contribute up to $10,000 to their own campaign.
- Contributions may not be accepted from a municipality, municipally-controlled corporation, school board or any not-for-profit group that has received support from the City.
- Any contributions above the $5,000 limit, or received from a prohibited source, must be either returned to the source or given to the City.
- Anonymous contributions cannot be accepted and must be given to the City.
- Candidates must, before March 1, 2011, file a disclosure statement of their campaign contributions and expenses with the City. A $500 late fee applies to late disclosures. Failure to file a disclosure statement and to pay the late fee is punishable by a fine of $5,000. If the candidate was successful in the election, it could also result in an automatic disqualification from Council.
- If a campaign is completely self-funded, the requirement to submit a disclosure statement is waived.
- Any surplus of contributions over expenditures of more than $500 must be given to the City after December 1, 2011, but before March 1, 2012. The City will hold the surplus in trust until the next election. If the candidate runs in the next election, the surplus (plus interest) will be contributed to the candidate’s campaign. If the candidate decides not to run in that election, the surplus must either be donated to a registered charity of the candidate’s choice or given to the City.
| back to top |
Legislation
Local elections in the Province of Alberta are governed by various election-related legislation. This includes provincial election requirements, as well as the regulations set forth in the City of St. Albert’s Municipal Elections Bylaw and various Council and school board resolutions. Provincial legislation includes:
- Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA)
- Municipal Government Act (MGA)
- School Act
- The Queen's Printer
Main Floor, Park Plaza
10611 – 98 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta T5K 2P7
Phone: 780-427-4952
Fax: 780-452-0668
Web: www.qp.alberta.ca
E-mail: qp@gov.ab.ca
| back to top |
