The nomination period is now open for Red Deer's 2025 municipal election on Oct. 20.
Prospective candidates will have until noon on Sept. 22 to file the necessary paperwork, secure required signatures and complete all preliminary steps, the City of Red Deer announced on Monday, Jan. 13.
Voters in Red Deer will elect one mayor, eight city councillors and seven school trustees for both the Red Deer Public Schools Division or the Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division.
“There are several new requirements this year that prospective candidates need to be aware of, per legislative changes,” said Jessica Robinson, returning officer.
“Among these are the requirements to file a notice of intent, minimum signatures and a deposit for anyone looking to run in the Mayoral or City Councillor contests.”
Prospective candidates who intend to seek office in 2025 must file a Notice of Intent. This step must be completed before any campaign contributions are accepted or expenses incurred. A Notice of Intent may be submitted at any time during the campaign period by emailing the completed form to elections@reddeer.ca or delivering it in-person to the Red Deer Elections Office at City Hall, which is located at 4914 48 Ave.
To officially file as a candidate, the following forms must be completed and submitted:
— Form 4: Nomination Paper and Candidate’s Acceptance
— Form 5: Candidate Financial Information
Nomination papers must include original signatures from eligible electors in Red Deer. Digital signatures will not be accepted. It is recommended that candidates obtain more than the minimum required number of signatures in case any signatory is found ineligible.
Candidates running for mayor must have 100 signatures and a $100 deposit, those running to become a councillor must have 50 signatures and a $100 deposit, and individuals vying to become a school trustee must have five signatures (no deposit is required).
All nomination forms must be signed before a Commissioner for Oaths in and for Alberta or the returning officer. Appointments to have forms signed can be arranged by emailing elections@reddeer.ca.
The 2025 election will be conducted by the appointed returning officer, who also oversees the elections for both the Red Deer Public School Division and the Red Deer Catholic Regional School Division. Municipal elections in Alberta occur every four years, in accordance with the Local Authorities Election Act, Municipal Government Act, and the Education Act.
For details regarding the nomination process, eligibility requirements and key election dates, visit elections.reddeer.ca.
