Interested in running in the 2020 Municipal or Conseil scolaire acadien provincial Election? The next regular election will be held October 17, 2020. Here you will find information on requirements, official forms and more.
Click on the image below for a 30-minute information session, which will provide important details you will need to Become a Municipal Candidate.
Download the Candidate Information Package [PDF] to learn general information, key dates, and more.
You can also download the Municipal Affairs Candidate’s Guide for the 2020 Regular Election in English and in French [PDF].
Visit www.yourdecision.ca to learn about workshops designed for potential candidates and registered candidates in the upcoming municipal election. Topics include organizing an effective campaign, what it’s like to be an elected official, and why people should get involved in their local governments. Registration is required for these sessions, so be sure to visit the website and sign up today.
The Nova Scotia Status of Women office has produced campaign support materials for women interested in running in an election. Visit https://women.novascotia.ca/publications-resources/women-leadership for more information.
The Requirements
To be a candidate in either a municipal or school board election, you must be:
- 18 years of age at the time of nomination
- a Canadian citizen
- ordinarily resident in the Halifax Regional Municipality for six months preceding nomination day, and continue to so reside
You don’t need to live in the polling district that you’re running in, as long as you meet the residency requirement of six months in the municipality.
The Paper Work
All candidates must either appoint an official agent or file a declaration that you’ll be acting as your own official agent. The official agent must keep track of any campaign contributions and open a separate bank account for this purpose. You should appoint your agent before you begin to accept any campaign contributions. Filing your agent forms will be made public and posted to the municipal website.
Do you want to book an appointment to appoint your official agent? Contact Trish Smith, Election Coordinator to book your "Form 17" appointment. Due to COVID-19, these appointments will be carried out through a virtual meeting which will allow Election staff to witness the signature of the Official Agent in keeping with the legislation.
Do you want to book an appointment to file your nomination papers? Contact Kelly Blenus, Elections Project Assistant at 902.240.6324 or kelly.blenus@halifax.ca You become an official candidate by filing your nomination papers with the Returning Officer. The Nomination Period will be August 27 through to September 7 (business days only). Appointments are required. Nomination Day is September 8 and this is the final day for nominations to be filed. Nomination Day is drop-in only (no appointments). All nominations MUST be filed by 5:00pm on Nomination Day.
Campaign contributions
Running for office means you are held to the same standards of accountability and transparency as the rest of the Halifax Regional Municipality. This has a direct impact on raising funds for your campaign.
Council passed updates to the By-law C-1100, the Campaign Finance By-law on July 16, 2019 [PDF]. This By-law works in concert with the campaign provisions in sections 49a and 49B of the Municipal Elections Act. School Board candidates are exempt from this By-law. For a summary of the By-law read the Election Campaign Finance Pamphlet [PDF].
Questions are encouraged!
Election Office
Trish Smith, Election Coordinator
Phone: 902.490.6810
Email: election@halifax.ca