If you are thinking of campaigning for next year's election, you may want to be aware of a rule change that is now in effect.

Although the Local Authorities Election Act was amended in 2012, this particular rule change will be implemented for the 2017 election.

Stacey Loe, Town of Cochrane, Manager, Legislative Services says the provision now asks candidates to register with the municipality before accepting any campaign contributions.

"Next general election is Monday October 16, nomination day would be September 18 of 2017, but if people wish to start collecting contributions and campaigning early then they have to register with the municipality first."

Loe shares there's a pretty good split between candidates looking for outside funding/contributions and people who fund their campaign from their own pocket book.

"I think there is pretty good split, actually, there is certainly a lot of the population that fund's their campaign themselves but in the last election we definitely saw a lot more candidates looking for contributions outside."

Whether or not, more people will be interested in running next fall, will be hard to say.

"It is hard to say because this is the first four year term that we are in now, there may be people that are more interested because it is a longer term, so longer opportunity to get things done; but then there is a contrast to that in that people may not be willing to make a four commitment because it is one year longer than what was previous the case."

Some other rules you may want to be aware of:

  • You must be 18 years old and a Canadian citizen
  • A resident of the local jurisdiction for 6 months preceding election day
  • You cannot be an employee of the municipality unless you take a leave of absence
  • Your property taxes cannot be more than $50 in arrears or you are in default for more than 90 days, for any other debt in excess of $500 to the municipality
  • If you are a judge, member of parliament, senator, or member of the legislative assembly, you must resign that position before you take office as am member of council.

If you are interested in having your name on the 2017 ballot, you can do so now, and find the application of intent to be a candidate here.