The race for the Mayor’s chair and city council becomes official with Nomination Day Sept. 18.
Chestermere’s Returning Officer Susan McMahon said that potential candidates need to be aware of a few key responsibilities in the lead up to nomination day.
“They should already be registered with the city,” said McMahon.
“As a candidate, you can’t accept contributions…unless you’re registered,” she said.
It is also important to note that the nomination period is between 8:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.
This means that the final candidates nominations papers have to be finished being filed by noon, candidates can’t start to file at 12 p.m.
“It is the cut off…there’s no provisions in the act for someone showing up at one minute to 12,” she said.
“I can reject it,” she said.
McMahon would also appreciate it if candidates didn’t all arrive at the same time.
“You also have to complete the nomination form,” she said.
The form, which is somewhat long and involved contains key information required to accept a person as an official candidate.
One of the most important parts is that each candidate must have the signatures of 10 eligible voters.
“The names of the 10 electors, if I can’t read the names and addresses…I can’t accept them,” said. McMahon.
The nomination papers with the signatures are public documents kept on file with McMahon.
“Any member of the public can contact me and make an arrangement…to examine the nomination papers,” she said.
Finally, candidates need to bring the $250 deposit.
Candidates are also asked to read and be familiar with the local authority’s election act which lays out the rules for municipal elections in Alberta.
McMahon along with city staff spoke to candidates about both the nomination day and election rules at a workshop held at city hall Sept. 7.
For more information about nomination day or the election go to www.chestermere.ca.
