Name | Description | Download |
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Name | Description | Download |
Municipal Elections Act | Provincial legislation that governs municipal elections across the Province of Nova Scotia. | Download the Municipal Elections Act |
Education Act | Provincial legislation that governs public education in the Province of Nova Scotia and outlines Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) membership. | Download the Education Act |
Administrative Order 2019-001-GOV Respecting Elections | A municipal administrative order that outlines regulations specific to current Members of Council who are candidates in municipal elections. | Download Administrative Order 2019-001-GOV |
By-law A-400 Respecting Alternative Voting | A municipal by-law that speaks to how the municipality conducts advance and alternative voting during municipal elections. | Download By-law A-400 |
By-law C-1100 Respecting Campaign Financing | A municipal by-law that outlines rules and regulations related to how municipal candidates collect and spend finances as part of their campaigning. | Download By-law C-1100 |
By-law S-801 Respecting Licensing of Temporary Signs | A municipal by-law that outlines rules and regulations related to election signage. | Download By-law S-801 |
In addition to the municipality’s candidate information guide, which features an overview of the process related to running for public office within the municipality, candidates should familiarize themselves with all relevant acts, legislation and by-laws related to municipal elections.
Corrupt practices
All individuals participating in any part of the municipal and CSAP election process are expected to comply with the Municipal Elections Act, including (but not limited to):
- candidates
- official agents
- poll agents
- election staff and poll officials
- voters
Sections 149-156 of the Municipal Elections Act outline corrupt practices.
Election signage
Election signage issue?
Report issues related to election signage placement by contacting 311.
During municipal elections, election signage is regulated by the Province of Nova Scotia’s Municipal Elections Act and by the municipality’s Temporary Sign By-law. Election signage includes signs for candidates running for Halifax Regional Council and candidates for the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP).
While election signage is an important part of campaigning, there are rules to ensure elections are fair and balanced and that signage doesn’t create any safety hazards. No license or approval is required to place an election sign, as long as it meets the requirements of the Temporary Sign Bylaw, and Municipal Election Act.
Where can election signage be placed?
Signage on private property can be placed at any time. Signage in a municipal street right-of-way may not be placed before September 1.
No signage may be displayed within 61 metres (200 feet) of a polling place on election day or an advance polling day. Candidates are responsible for removing any such signage prior to election day and/or advance polling day.
All election signage must be removed from public property after election day.
Where can election signage be placed on private property?
There are no restrictions on where election signage can be placed on private property. Under the Municipal Elections Act, tenants are allowed to display election signage on the premises they lease, and a landlord or condominium corporation is not allowed to prohibit this.
However, a landlord or condominium corporation may place reasonable conditions on the size or type of election signage that may be displayed and may prohibit the placement of election signage in common areas of a building or property.
Where can election signage be placed in a provincial street right-of-way?
The Nova Scotia Department of Public Works (NSDPW) has guidelines for election-related signage near provincial roadways:
- controlled-access highways — 100-series highways
- election signs are not permitted within 1 km of the centre lines of these highways
- nor within 60 m of the end of ramps or controlled-access connectors onto connector/non-controlled-access highways
- non-controlled access highways — majority of provincial roads in NS
- must have approval of the adjacent property owner before posting signs in the right-of-way
- election signs should not cause a hazard by obstructing sight distance at intersections, parking lots, driveways or traffic control signs
- signs should be behind the ditch line or a minimum of 3 m behind the curb
- signs cannot be affixed to any utility poles, street signs, lamp posts, traffic signal poles, guardrails or guideposts
For any election signs that violate these provincial guidelines, the Department of Public Works will automatically remove signs under 1.44 m². For larger signs, NSDPW will contact the Election Office and allow 24 hours for the candidate’s office to remove the sign, after which time the department will remove it.
Where can election signage be placed in a municipal street right-of-way?
Election signage may be placed within the municipal street right-of-way (i.e., streets, sidewalks, ditches and gravel shoulders). Signage in these areas must meet the following criteria of the Temporary Sign By-law:
- signs which are larger than 1.5 m² in area must be placed at least 4 m back from the curb
- No curb - signs larger than 1.5 m² must be placed at least 6.5 m from the edge of the asphalt or travelled surface
- signs may be no taller than 2 m in height from the ground to the top of the sign
- if there is a sidewalk or ditch, signs must be placed back 1.5 m from the back of the sidewalk or ditch
- signs may not overhang the sidewalk or street
- signs may not be placed in front of any municipal property (e.g. parks, community centres, schools, fire stations, etc.)
- signs cannot obstruct a fire hydrant, fire department connection, exit or ventilation device on a building
- signs cannot be located within a centre median or traffic island within a street
- signs cannot be affixed to utility poles, street signs, lamp posts, traffic signal poles or trees
- signs cannot obstruct the vision of motorists or pedestrians or present any safety hazard to any street users
- signs cannot be located within a daylighting triangle – 6.1 m from the corner of two intersecting streets
Report concerns about election signage
For any concerns about election signage within the municipality, please contact 311.
Questions about election rules?
Contact the Election Office with any questions related to municipal elections within the Halifax Regional Municipality:
- Phone: 902.490.VOTE (8683)
- Email: election@halifax.ca