Interested in running in municipal and school board elections? Find information about the requirements, official forms, and more.
Who can run in municipal and school board elections?
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.
How do I become an official candidate?
You become an official candidate by filing your nomination papers with the Returning Officer. As an election approaches, dates for nomination will be publicized – you can file your nomination papers only during the specified dates and times.
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.
If you’re thinking of running an election, you should start by reading the Candidate’s Guide to Municipal and School Board Elections [PDF]. An updated version of the guide will be available in time for the 2020 regular election.
Candidate 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.
- All contributions of $50 or over to a candidate’s campaign must be reported on Form 40 or 41.
- Following the election, contribution forms will be posted on the website.
- Contributions made to municipal or school board candidates are not tax deductible – no tax receipts are issued.
- No anonymous contributions are allowed.
School board information
Did you know that school board districts each consist of two municipal districts? See the Halifax Regional School Board Districts [PDF] to learn the boundaries. You can find general information about these elections on the provincial School Board Elections website.
Do you have questions about running in municipal or school board elections?
Phoebe Rai, Acting Election Coordinator
Phone: 902.490.6810
Email: election@halifax.ca