Municipal Election 2025

January 1, 2025 – First Day of Nomination Period 

• Note: County Offices will open beginning January 2, 2025 to accept nomination papers.  
• The nomination period runs from January 1, 2025 to September 22, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. 

• Candidates can file nomination papers anytime during the nomination period with the Returning Officer during office hours.
• Candidates will be required to provide a criminal record check conducted, within the calendar year of the election, by RCMP, at the sole expense of the candidate. Criminal record check to be submitted with the Candidate's nomination.

September 22, 2025 – Nomination Day 

• Nomination papers must be filed by 12:00 p.m.  The County office will be open on Monday, September 22, 2025, for receipt of nomination papers.

October 20, 2025 – Municipal Election Day 

March 1, 2026 - Disclosure Statement Due

• Deadline to submit campaign finance disclosure statement for candidates
who accepted contributions in 2025 and for registered third party advertisers.

Campaign Disclosure Statements

Section

147.4(1) On or before March 1 of each year, a candidate who has received contributions in the previous year must file a disclosure statement in respect of the previous year.

(2) On or before September 30 of a year in which a general election is to be held, a candidate who has received contributions in the period beginning on January 1 and ending on July 31 of that year must file a disclosure statement in respect of that period.

Section 21(01) of the Local Authorities Election Act states:

1. A person may be nominated as a candidate in any election under this Act if on nomination day the person
   
   (a)is eligible to vote in that election,

is at least 18 years of age

is a Canadian citizen,

(b) has been a resident of the local jurisdiction and the ward, if any, for the 6 consecutive months immediately preceding nomination day, and

(c) is not otherwise ineligible or is disqualified.

Ineligibility

(This not an inclusive list. Consult the Local Authorities Election Act, section 22 for details.)

Section 22(1)
A person is not eligible to be nominated as a candidate in any election under this Act if on nomination day

(a) the person is the auditor of the local jurisdiction for which the election is to be held;

(b) subject to subsection (4), the person is an employee of the local jurisdiction for which the election is to be held unless the person takes a leave of absence under this section;

(c) the person is indebted to the municipality of which the person is an elector for taxes in default exceeding $50, excluding from that amount

1. any indebtedness for current taxes, and
2. any indebtedness for arrears of taxes for which the person has entered into a consolidation agreement with the municipality, unless the person is in default in the payment of any money due under the agreement;
3. the person is indebted to the local jurisdiction for which the election is to be held for any debt equaling or exceeding $500 and in default for more than 90 days;

    (d.1) the person has, within the previous 10 years, been convicted of an offence under this Act, the Election Act, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act or the Canada Elections Act (Canada).

Notice Required Regarding Contributions and Expenses

147.22(1) No individual and no person acting for the individual shall accept a contribution or incur a campaign expense unless the individual has given written notice in accordance with this section.

(2) An individual who intends to be nominated or has been nominated to run for election in a local jurisdiction as a candidate must give written notice to the local jurisdiction in which the individual intends to be or has been nominated.

The Register of Candidates is record all candidates who have given notice of the Thorhild County Election that they intend to seek nomination in the 2025 election.

Register of candidates 147.22(1)

(1) A local jurisdiction must maintain a register of candidates that have given notice to the local jurisdiction under section 147.22.

(2) A local jurisdiction must make the register of candidates publicly available on the local jurisdiction’s website.

After submitting a notice of intent to be nominated, your name will appear on the register of candidates on Thorhild County Election website.

The campaign period for the 2025 Thorhild County Election runs from October 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025.

Candidates may raise funds for their election campaigns during this time.

Click on the link below for more information on the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) Qualification of Candidates.

Qualification of Candidates 2025 Municipal Election

File Your NOTICE TO INTENT to Run

All candidates must submit a NOTICE OF INTENT. Submitting a NOTICE OF INTENT does not mean a person is nominated. 

A Candidate must complete the nomination process by submitting a Nomination Paper and Candidate’s Acceptance Form 4 and Candidate Financial Information Form 5 during the Nomination Period from January 2 to September 22, 2025.

Candidates who plan to run in the 2025 Thorhild County Election can only accept campaign contributions and incur campaign expenses once their NOTICE OF INTENT is complete and they are added to the Register of Candidates.

Qualification of Candidates

Section 21(01) of the Local Authorities Election Act states:

1. A person may be nominated as a candidate in any election under this Act if on nomination day the person
   
   (a)is eligible to vote in that election,

is at least 18 years of age

is a Canadian citizen,

(b) has been a resident of the local jurisdiction and the ward, if any, for the 6 consecutive months immediately preceding nomination day, and

(c) is not otherwise ineligible or is disqualified.

Ineligibility

(This not an inclusive list. Consult the Local Authorities Election Act, section 22 for details.)

Section 22(1)
A person is not eligible to be nominated as a candidate in any election under this Act if on nomination day

(a) the person is the auditor of the local jurisdiction for which the election is to be held;

(b) subject to subsection (4), the person is an employee of the local jurisdiction for which the election is to be held unless the person takes a leave of absence under this section;

(c) the person is indebted to the municipality of which the person is an elector for taxes in default exceeding $50, excluding from that amount

1. any indebtedness for current taxes, and
2. any indebtedness for arrears of taxes for which the person has entered into a consolidation agreement with the municipality, unless the person is in default in the payment of any money due under the agreement;
3. the person is indebted to the local jurisdiction for which the election is to be held for any debt equaling or exceeding $500 and in default for more than 90 days;

    (d.1) the person has, within the previous 10 years, been convicted of an offence under this Act, the Election Act, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act or the Canada Elections Act (Canada).

• Complete Form 4 Nomination Paper and Candidate’s Acceptance

• Complete Form 5 Candidate Financial Information

• Form 11 Candidate or Official Agent Proof of Identification for Access (Optional)

• Form 12 Campaign Worker Proof of Identification (Optional)

• Form 16 Statement of Scrutineer or Official Agent (Optional)

If at anytime during the voting hours, a person who is at least 18 years old presents to the Presiding Deputy Returning Officera written notice, in a form acceptable to the returning officer

• signed by a candidate, and
• stating the person presenting the notice is to represent that candidate as the candidate’s scrutineer at the voting station

the person presenting the notice shall be recognized by the Presiding Deputy Returning Office as the Scrutineer of the candidate. 

The following is what the written notice should say:

The (Name of Scrutineer) presenting this notice is to represent (Name of Candidate) as the Candidate’s Scrutineer at Division (number) voting station.

Signed and dated by the Candidate.

When they present written notice to the Presiding Deputy Returning Officer, the Scrutineer will fill out Statement of Scrutineer or Official Agent Form 16.

• Complete Form 26 Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement

• Candidate Consent for Information Disclosure (optional)

Every nomination must be accompanied by a deposit in the amount $100.00 paid in cash, by certified cheque, by money order, by e-transfer or by debit card or credit card.

Candidates will be required to provide a criminal record check conducted, within the calendar year of the election, by RCMP, at the sole expense of the candidate. Criminal record check must be submitted with the Candidate's nomination papers.

14-2024 Municipal Elections Bylaw

07-2022 Council Committee Procedure Bylaw

Policy 203 Councillor Remuneration

Register to Vote

Alberta Municipal Affairs

Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act

Expense Limits Regulation

Municipal Government Act

What Every Councillor Needs to Know – A Council Member's Handbook

Pecuniary & Conflict of Interest for Councillors

Running for Municipal Office Webinars

Municipal Election 2025 - Campaign Disclosure Statements

There have been changes to Part 5.1 Election Finances and Contributions since the last election.

This is provided as information only; prospective candidates should all review the relevant legislation.

Local Authorities Election Act
Part 5.1 Election Finances and Contributions

Interpretation

147.1(1) In this Part,

(a) “campaign expense” means any expense incurred, or non-monetary contribution received, by a candidate, local political party or slate to the extent that the property or service that the expense was incurred for, or that was received as a non-monetary contribution, is used to directly promote or oppose a candidate, local political party or slate during a campaign period, and includes an expense incurred for, or a non-monetary contribution in relation to,

(i)  the production of advertising or promotional material,

(ii) the distribution, broadcast or publication of advertising or promotional material in any media or by any other means during a campaign period, including by the use of a capital asset,

(iii)   the payment of remuneration and expenses to or on behalf of a person for the person’s services as a chief financial officer or in any other capacity,

(iv) securing a meeting place,

(v) the conduct of election surveys or other surveys or research during a campaign period, or

(vi) the production of a review engagement required by this Act;

(b) “campaign period” means

1. in the case of a general election, the period beginning on January 1 of the year immediately following a general election and ending on December 31 immediately following the next general election, and
2. in the case of a by-election, the period beginning on the day after the  resolution or bylaw is passed to set the election day for the by-election and ending 60 days after the by-election;

(b.1) “candidate” means

1. an individual who has been nominated to run for election in a local jurisdiction as a councillor or trustee, and
2. an individual who intends to be nominated to run for election in a local jurisdiction as a councillor or as a trustee that has given written notice in accordance with section 147.22;

(c) “contribution” means, in respect of a candidate’s election campaign or a local political party, any money, personal property, real property or service provided without fair market value compensation from that candidate or local political party, but does not include a service provided by an individual who voluntarily performs the service and receives no compensation, directly or indirectly, for the service or time spent providing the service;

(c.1) “endorsed candidate” means a candidate whose endorsement by a local political party has been registered in accordance with the regulations;

(d), (e) repealed 2024 c11 s1(52);

(f) “prohibited organization” means

1.       a municipality,
2. a corporation that is controlled by a municipality and meets the test set out in section 1(2) of the Municipal Government Act,
3. a non-profit organization that has received since the last general election any of the following from the municipality in which the election will be held:

1. a grant;
2. real property;
3. personal property,

(iv) a Provincial corporation as defined in the Financial Administration Act, including a management body within the meaning of the Alberta Housing Act,

5. a Metis settlement,
6. a school board,

(vii) a public post-secondary institution as defined in the Post-secondary Learning Act,

(viii) a corporation that does not carry on business in Alberta,

(ix) a registered party as defined in the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act or the Canada Elections Act (Canada), or

(x) an organization designated by the Lieutenant Governor in Council as a prohibited organization;

(f.1) “review engagement” means a review engagement as defined in the Chartered Professional Accountants Act.

(g) repealed 2024 c11 s1(52).

(1.1) Corporations that are associated with one another under section 256 of the Income Tax Act (Canada) shall be considered as a single corporation for the purposes of this Part, but in determining whether and at what time corporations are associated for the purposes of this Part, subsection 256(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) shall be read as though the words “at any time in the year” were struck out.

(2) The value of a contribution, other than money, provided to a candidate or a local political party is the fair market value of the contribution at the time it is provided.

3. If any personal property, real property or service or the use of personal property or real property is provided to a candidate or a local political party for a price that is less than the fair market value at the time it is provided, the amount by which the value exceeds the price is a contribution for the purposes of this Part.

(4)  For the purposes of this section, the use of goods in a 2nd or subsequent election is a non-monetary contribution.

(5)  In this section, “expense incurred” means an expense that is incurred, whether it is paid or unpaid.

Campaign Disclosure Statements

Section

147.4(1) On or before March 1 of each year, a candidate who has received contributions in the previous year must file a disclosure statement in respect of the previous year.

(2) On or before September 30 of a year in which a general election is to be held, a candidate who has received contributions in the period beginning on January 1 and ending on July 31 of that year must file a disclosure statement in respect of that period.

The Register of Candidates is a record of all candidates who have given notice to Thorhild County that they intend to seek nomination for office in the next election, but have yet to complete the nomination process. A candidate must submit their notice of intent in order to seek and spend campaign contributions

Candidates will be listed below when a Notice of Intent to Run is received. Names will be posted within three business days of receipt.

As at July 16     3:00 pm

To appear on the ballot, a person must file official nomination papers during the Nomination Period. Once these papers are accepted, they are listed as a "nominated candidate.”

Nominated Candidate List

As of August 1, 2025, 3:50 pm

This year, eligible electors will have to register to vote in the Municipal Election as outlined in the changes to the Local Authorities Election Act.

Thorhild County must prepare a permanent electors register (often called a voter list) of residents in the municipality who are eligible to vote. The elector register is based on the information supplied by Elections Alberta.

You will need an Alberta Driver’s License or an Alberta Identification Card for each individual you wish to register or update on Voterlink.

To register to vote for the first time, update your existing information or check if you are registered visit Voterlink at www.voterlink.ab.ca.

You may also contact:
Phone: 780.427.7191 - Call toll free by dialing 310.0000 then dial 780.427.7191
Email: info@elections.ab.ca

Any eligible elector who wishes to vote on Election Day must first be registered by September 15, 2025, on Voterlink or on Election Day at the Voting Station by providing identification.

Click on the link below for more information on the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) requirement that a municipality must prepare a Permanent Electors Register.

Permanent Electors Register 2025 Municipal Election

Register to Vote

Municipal Election Elector Eligibility 

Rules for Residency

Advance Vote Dates: Voting for all Divisions

October 10, 2025     9:00 a.m. – 8:00 pm.

October 15, 2025     9:00 a.m. – 8:00 pm.

October 17, 2025     9:00 a.m. – 8:00 pm.

October 18, 2025     9:00 a.m. – 8:00 pm.

All Advance Votes are held at Thorhild and District Community Hall, 11-7^th Avenue, Thorhild, Alberta

Election Day: October 20, 2025

The following guidelines for placement of election signs along public roadways are set by Alberta Transportation and Thorhild County; and are to be adhered to by all candidates in the upcoming elections. 

Under the Safety Codes Act, Electrical & Communication Utility System of the Province of Alberta, electrical utility poles and structures shall be kept free of all materials not required for the system.  Action may be taken against candidates or their agents who deface utility poles with election campaign literature.

Signs may be placed on private property with the permission of the landowner.

Thorhild County Land Use Bylaw 1194-2015 Excerpt

The following signs do not require a development permit provided that they comply with other bylaws and regulations:

(h)  the erection of campaign signs for federal, provincial, municipal or school board election on privately-owned lots for no more than thirty (30) days, or such time as regulated under provincial or federal legislation provided that:

(i) such signs are removed within seven (7) days after the election date,

(ii) such signs do not obstruct or impair vision or traffic,

(iii) such signs are not attached to fences, trees, or utility poles; and

(iv) such signs indicate the name and address of the sponsor and the person responsible for removal.

CALL BEFORE YOU DIG!

ALBERTA ONE-CALL 1-800-242-3447 www.albertaonecall.com

Guidelines for the installation of election signs