Election

January 1, 2025 - Nomination Period Opens

September 22, 2025 (Until 12:00 p.m.) - Nomination Day

September 23, 2025 (Until 12:00 p.m.) - Close of Withdrawal Period

TBA - Advance Polls

October 20, 2025 - Election Day

October 24, 2025 - Declaration of Official Election Date Results

October 27, 2025 - Mandatory Orientation for Elected Officials

October 28, 2025 - Swearing in of Elected Officials and Organizational Meeting 

March 1, 2026 - Campaign Disclosure Statement Deadline

The Notice of Intent to Run process is new for the 2025 municipal election. An individual who intends to be nominated or has been nominated to run for election in a local jurisdiction as a candidate must file the Notice of Intent to Run form with the Returning Officer before accepting campaign contributions or incurring campaign expenses. Once the Returning Officer receives your completed form, your name will be added to the Register of Candidates on the Town’s website. 

The campaign period for the 2025 municipal election is October 31, 2024 until December 31, 2025.

Candidates must follow the election finance rules set out in Part 5.1 of the LAEA and the Expense Limits Regulation.

Where there is any changes to the information provided in the Notice of Intent to Run, the candidate must notify the Election's Office within 48 hours.

Is Submitting a Notice of Intent to Run the Same as Submitting Nomination Forms?

No. Submitting a Notice of Intent to Run is one step in the process and does not mean you have been nominated and will appear on the ballot.

Once a prospective candidate’s Notice of Intent to Run submission is complete and they are added to the Register of Candidates, they can accept campaign contributions and incur campaign expenses.

To become a nominated candidate and appear on the ballot, a candidate must also complete the nomination process during the Nomination Period from January 1 to 12:00 p.m. September 22, 2025.

Is a Deposit Required to File a Notice of Intent to Run?

No, a deposit is not required when filing a Notice of Intent to Run.

What is the Register of Candidates?

The Register of Candidates is a record of all candidates who have given notice to the Town of Wainwright's Returning Officer that they intend to seek nomination for office in the next general election, as required by the LAEA.  The Register of Candidates will be made available on the Town's website until December 31, 2025.

The nomination period for the 2025 general election will begin on January 1, 2025, and run until 12:00 p.m. on nomination day: Monday, September 22, 2025.

Candidate Eligibility

A person maybe nominated in any election under Section 21 of the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) if the person:

• is eligible to vote in the election:
  • is at least 18 years of age,
  • is a Canadian citizen, and
  • resides in Alberta;
• has resided in the municipality for six consecutive months immediately preceding nomination day; and
• is not otherwise ineligible.

Candidate Ineligibility

A person is ineligible to be nominated as a candidate in any election under Section 22 of the LAEA if the person:

• is the auditor of the Town of Wainwright;
• is an employee of the Town of Wainwright, unless the person has taken a leave of absence;
• is indebted to the municipality for taxes in default exceeding $50.00 (excluding indebtedness on current taxes, and indebtedness for arrears of taxes for which the person as entered into a consolidation agreement with the municipality);
• is indebted to the local jurisdiction for any debt equaling or exceeding $500.00 and is in default for more than 90 days;
• has, within the previous 10 years, been convicted of an offence under the LAEA, the Election Act, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act, or the Canada Elections Act (Canada);
• is, on nomination day, employed by the Office of the Ombudsman, unless the person has taken a leave of absence. 

Under section 23.1 of the LAEA a candidate is disqualified and becomes ineligible to continue as a candidate if, on or after the day the candidate's nomination has been accepted, and on or before election day, the candidate is convicted of an offence punishable by imprisonment for five or more years, or under Sections 123, 124 or 125 of the Criminal Code (Canada) or uses or expends a contribution in contravention of Section 147.23.

Submitting your Nomination Form

Candidates who seek nomination for office must bring into the Town Office (1018 - 2 Avenue) the following:

• Notice of Intent to Run - If not already submitted
• Form 4 - Nomination Paper and Candidate's Acceptance - Completed, along with a minimum of five elector signatures.  These electors must be residents of the local jurisdiction on the date they signed the form and must be eligible to vote in the election
• Form 5 - Candidate Information
• $100.00 Nomination Deposit in the form of cash, cheque, debit card or credit card as required by Bylaw 2024-13
• Criminal Record Check - dated no more than six months from the date in which a candidate's nomination form is submitted as required by Bylaw 2024-13
• Candidate Release Form (Optional)

The Returning Officer shall not accept the following for filing:

• a nomination that is not completed in the prescribed form;
• a nomination that is not signed by at least five electors required to sign the form;
• a nomination that is not sworn or affirmed by the person nominated;
• a nomination that is not accompanied with a criminal record check required by Bylaw 2024-13; 
• a nomination that is not accompanied by the required deposit established by Bylaw 2024-13.

Candidates who have submitted their Notice of Intent to Run and/or their Nomination Papers are encouraged to become familiar with the Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement.

A candidate may withdrawal their nomination at any time during the nomination period of January 1 - September 22, 2025.  At any time within 24 hours after the close of the nomination period, if more than the required number of candidates for any particular office are nominated, a candidate may withdrawal by filing with the Returning Officer a withdrawal in writing.  

If, at the close of nominations, the number of nominations received equal the number required to be elected, the Returning Officer shall not accept withdrawals. 

Under Section 147.221 of the LAEA, a local jurisdiction must maintain a Register of Candidates that have given Notice of Intent to Run, and make the Register of Candidates publicly available on the Town's website until December 31, 2025.  Please note, that the official list of candidates who have filed their nomination papers will be made available no later than 48 hours of the close of nomination day.

To be eligible to vote, an elector must be:

• 18 years old;
• A Canadian Citizen;
• A resident in Alberta; and
• The elector's place of residence must be located in the local jurisdiction on election day (Section 47 of the Local Authorities Election Act)

For more information please visit www.alberta.ca/municipal-elections-overview.aspx.

Please be advised that any registrations or changes made on Voter Link after September 15, 2025 may not be reflected on the Permanent Electors Register at the voting stations.  Please see the Voter Identification Requirements tab for more information on what is required to vote.

Due to changes to the Local Authorities Election Act, municipalities are now required to use a registered voters list for municipal elections.  To save time at the polls, make sure your are registered to vote.  Not sure if you need to register, see below:

Register to vote here:  https://www.voterlink.ab.ca/

Section 53 of the Local Authorities Election Act outlines identification requirements for local elections.

Residents on the Permanent Electors Register

•          A resident whose name is on the Permanent Electors Register must provide one piece of Government-issued ID that includes the voters full name, current address, and photo. 

Residents on the Permanent Electors Register Whose Information Does Not Match Their Identification

•           A resident whose name is on the Permanent Electors Register, but the information (name and/or address) does not match their identification, will be required to provide an additional piece of identification showing the correct name and address.   Please view our list of accepted identification.

Residents Not on the Permanent Electors Register

• A resident whose name is not on the Permanent Electors Register will be required to produce one piece of Government-issued ID that includes the voters full name, current address, and photo, OR present one piece of authorized identification that establishes the person’s name and current address.  No matter the type of identification used, the elector will be required to complete the prescribed Form 13.  Please view our list of          accepted identification.

Identification Only Containing a Mailing Address (e.g. PO Box)

•       A resident whose name is on the Permanent Electors Register at their current physical address, does not need to provide additional identification and can use their Government-issued ID that includes the voters full name, current mailing address, and photo.
•            A resident whose name is not on the Permanent Electors Register, or who needs to register at a new physical address, will need additional identification to prove their physical address (i.e. legal land description, lot-block-plan, or 911 address) prior to voting.  Please view our list of accepted identification.

Vouching

•           A resident without identification reflecting their current address can be vouched for by another elector if the vouching elector is on the Permanent Electors Register and has proven their identify.  The vouching elector must sign a declaration stating that they personally know the elector, that they are a qualified elector, and believe the elector resides at the physical address provided by the elector.  The elector must still provide a Government-issued ID that validates their identity.