Candidate Nomination Period and Forms
In order to run in the 2025 Election on October 20 2025, completed nomination packages must be received in person by the Returning Officer, Danielle Nealon, at the Town office during regular business hours (M-F 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
The Nomination period closes at 12:00 noon on Nomination Day, September 22.
Election Fact:
Nominations are signed by a minimum of five eligible voters and must include the signed statement of the candidate.
The Official Nomination Day Results will be sent out via media release.
Candidate Information and Nomination Forms
Please note: To help ensure a fair election, if the Town of Blackfalds provides written information to any candidate, that same information will be shared with all candidates. Where it might be of Town-wide interest, we will also post that information on our website.
Candidates are not permitted to use any Town branding. Use of the Town logo and branding is exclusive to the Town.
- Candidate and Nomination Guide
- Notice of Intent
- Nomination Paper & Candidate's Acceptance
- Candidate Financial Information
- Campaign Disclosure Statement & Financial Statement
Additional Election Information
The Local Authorities Election Act and the Municipal Government Act are the primary sources of legislation affecting the election of Municipal Councils and the governance of Alberta municipalities in general.
If you have thought about community leadership and are not sure where to start, the Elected Officials Education Program (EOEP) may be of interest to you. For more information, see the attached document below, or visit the Municipal Affairs website at www.eoep.ca.
Additional Links/Resources:
Municipal Affairs has released a four-part series for prospective municipal candidates. The series addresses municipalities, local government, the role of a councillor, and running for elected office.
www.youtube.com/@YourAlbertaLearn/videos
Contact the Elections Office
The local Returning Officer and Deputy Returning Officers are appointed by Town Council. These roles are responsible for all matters regarding the local organization and operation of the 2017 Local Authorities Election and for enforcement of provisions of the Local Authorities Election Act.
Candidate packages are available at the Town Office, 5018 Waghorn Street during regular business hours (Monday to Friday 8:30am to 4:30pm). Candidate Information and nomination forms are available online 24/7 for reference only.
Questions about the Town of Blackfalds Municipal Election may be directed to:
Returning Officer / Deputy Returning Officers
Town of Blackfalds - Election Office
Box 220, 5018 Waghorn Street
Blackfalds, AB T0M 0J0
Phone: 403.885.6248
email: elections@blackfalds.com
Please Note: Information on this site provides an overview and is not a substitute for the detailed information contained in the legislation. All candidates are responsible for ensuring they are aware of and understand the legislation and bylaws concerning elections and the requirements for nomination.
Can a person with a criminal record run in a local election?
Yes; however, if that person has been convicted of an election offence (federal, provincial or local) within the past 10 years, they are not allowed to run in the election. Ineligibility to run in a local election is outlined in section 22 of the Local Authorities Election Act.
What would my role be as a member of Council?
As a member of council, you are required to:
- To provide good government;
- To foster the well-being of the environment;
- To foster the economic development of the municipality;
- To provide services, facilities, or other things that, in the opinion of Council, are necessary or desirable for all or part of the municipality;
- To develop and maintain safe and viable communities;
- To work collaboratively with neighbouring municipalities to plan, deliver, and fund intermunicipal services.
I’m not around on Nomination Day. Can I file my nomination papers earlier?
Yes!
A person may file their nomination papers to become a candidate for a general election with the Returning Officer during the nomination period which begins January 1 and ends
at 12:00 pm on Nomination Day during an election year. There is no deposit that is required to file your nomination papers for the office that you are running for.
Can I look at the nomination papers?
Yes!
You can view nomination papers at any time once the nomination period has begun, until the term of office to which the filed nomination papers relate has expired. A person may
request to examine the filed nomination papers during regular business hours and in the presence of the Returning Officer.
Am I compensated for being a member of Council?
Yes!
A Council remuneration is established by the Council Remuneration and Expense Policy. The Town will outsource a Council Compensation review in the summer of 2025. The review will address all compensation for honorariums, benefits, per diem rates, and travel & subsistence amounts. The outcome of the review will help establish a new base pay for 2025 - 2029 Council term, the Council Remuneration and Expense Policy will be updated and approved by Council prior to the beginning of the new Council term 2025 – 2029.
• Mayor - $62,796.00 honorarium per annum;
• Councillor - $29,872.00 honorarium per annum.
The above amounts reflect the base pay for 2025. Each year during budget discussions Council will have the opportunity to increase compensation for a Cost-of-living (COLA), the same rate that will be applied (if any) to employees.
For more detailed information regarding benefits, please see the Candidate & Nomination Package at the top of the page!
When can I start putting up election signs?
No campaign signs are permitted on public locations until 45 days before the election. However, you can put election signs on private property at any time!
Please see our Election Sign Map to view where you can put your signs during the 45 day window.
How do I know if I'm eligible, or inegible to, to run?
Qualifications of a Candidate | Sections 21 & 47(1) of the LAEA
A person may be nominated as a candidate in the Town of Blackfalds’ municipal election if, on Nomination Day (September 22, 2025), they are:
- A person who is eligible to vote in that election (being at least 18 years of age and a Canadian Citizen);
- A resident of the Town of Blackfalds for the six (6) consecutive months (March 22, 2025) before Nomination Day (September 22, 2025);
- Not otherwise ineligible or disqualified under the LAEA.
Ineligibility for Nomination as a Candidate | Sections 22 & 23 of the LAEA
A person is not eligible to be nominated as a candidate in any election under the LAEA if on Nomination Day:
- The person is the auditor of the Town of Blackfalds;
- The person is an employee of the Town of Blackfalds unless they have taken a leave of absence;
- The person is indebted to the Town of Blackfalds for taxes in default of more than $50, excluding current taxes;
- The person is indebted to the Town of Blackfalds for any debt exceeding $500 and in default for more than 90 days;
- The person 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).
All instances of ineligibility can be found in Sections 22 and 23 of the LAEA. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are eligible for nomination.
What are the time committments for being on Council?
Serving on Council is the equivalent of a part-time position, but the hours of work may not be standard hours since some obligations may require attendance during the evening or
weekend.
The responsibilities of Council members are many and varied. In addition to attendance at Regular Council Meetings and Standing Committee of Council Meetings, Council members
are assigned to various Boards and Committees (will vary, but typically 4-6 committees each).