Elections

Information for Candidates

Nominations open on January 1, 2021, and end at 12:00 noon on September 20, 2021.

Thinking about running for Council?

Candidate Information Package:
Download the booklet here as a PDF.

Here’s Yellowhead County’s Candidate’s Guide & Information Booklet for the upcoming 2021 election. It gives an overview of what you need to register as a candidate and what a member of the Yellowhead County council can expect during their four-year term.Or view it online using Issuu.

So, you’ve made the decision to run.

The Nomination Process:
Download the booklet here as a PDF.

The Yellowhead County Nomination Process – So You Decided to Run for Council booklet covers how to get started, legal requirements, form examples, legislation rules, and more. Or view it online using Issuu.

FORMS:
• Nomination Paper and Candidate’s Acceptance (Form 4)
• Candidate Financial Information (Form 5)
• Release of Candidate Information
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION & FORMS:
 • Implementation Fact Sheet (Gov AB)

Municipal Election Finance and Contribution Disclosure

All Candidates (Mayor and Councillor) are responsible for reviewing the relevant sections of the Local Authorities Election Act to ensure they are compliant with all requirements.

Part 5.1 – Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure of the Local Authorities Election Act outlines the requirements for contributions, limitations and acceptance of contributions, anonymous and unauthorized contributions, duties of candidates, fund-raising functions, expense limits, disclosure statements, campaign surplus, late filing, offences.

Candidates must declare, by March 1, 2022, their campaign contributions and expenses and the resulting surplus or deficit on FORM 26 – Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement.

  • Accepting Campaign Contributions

    During the campaign period

    • Only candidates can receive contributions during the campaign period.
    • Only individuals who live in Alberta can contribute to a candidate’s campaign. Corporations, unincorporated organizations, employee organizations and trade unions are prohibited from making contributions.
    • Candidates must not accept anonymous contributions.
    • Individuals can contribute up to $5,000 in total to a candidate’s campaign during the campaign period.
    • Individuals can contribute to as many candidate’s campaigns as they choose.
    • Candidates can self-fund their campaigns. Those contributions can not exceed $10,000 during the campaign period.

    Know your contributors
    Candidates must make every reasonable effort to advise prospective contributors of the financing regulations described in Part 5.1 of the Local Authorities Election Act.

  • Candidate Duties During Campaign

    During campaigning, candidates must:

    • Issue receipts for every contribution. A receipt must include:
        • date of contribution;
        • name of individual contributor;
        • address of individual contributor; and
        • amount contributed.
    • Obtain receipts for every expense.
    • Open a campaign account at a financial institution when contributions exceed $1,000.
    • When a campaign account is opened, place all contributions into the account.
    • Use money for payment of campaign expenses only.
    • Do not accept contributions from people outside of Alberta.
    • Do not accept contributions from corporations and unincorporated organizations.
    • Do not accept contributions from trade unions and employee organizations.
    • Do not work with third parties to avoid contribution or expense limits.

    All candidates are subject to further requirements and are advised to refer to the Local Authorities Election Act for complete details on campaign finances and the full extent of their obligations.

  • Campaign Bank Accounts

    A contribution is something given to a candidate to support their campaign. This could be money, use of property or a service.

    Candidates must open specific bank accounts for their campaign finances as soon as possible once contributions exceed $1,000

    Campaign bank accounts must:

    • Be opened with a financial institution
    • Be in the name of the candidate or the candidate’s campaign
    • Contain all monetary contributions received by the candidate
    • Be used to pay for all expenses incurred by the candidate

    Account details must be reported to Yellowhead County Elections using Form 5 – Candidate Information. Please bring a completed Form 5 with you when submitting your nomination papers.

  • Candidate Duties After the Election

    Campaign Disclosure Statements

    The campaign disclosure statement is a record of expenses incurred and contributions received by a candidate during the campaign period. It must be filed by March 1, 2022.

    The campaign disclosure statement includes:

    • Total contributions
    • Source of contributions
    • Total expenses

    You Must Disclose:

    • The name and address of individuals who contribute more than $50.
    • The amount received outside of campaign period. Please remember that there is a $5000 limit in non-election years.
    • Itemized list of expenses.

    Refer to Part 5.1 of the Local Authorities Election Act for complete information on the candidate disclosure statement.

    A candidate must retain all campaign financing records for three years, following March 1, 2022.

    If your total expenses or contributions are $50,000 or more you must file a review engagement with a disclosure statement. A review engagement is a review of financial records conducted by a Chartered Professional Accountant.

    Candidates must act to address their surplus within 60 days of filing their campaign disclosure statement.

    If the surplus is less than $1000, candidates can:

    • Retain the surplus
    • Donate all or a portion to a registered charity

    If the surplus is more than $1000, candidates must:

    • Donate all or a portion to a registered charity
    • The remaining surplus must total less than $1,000

    Candidates who donate all or a portion of their surplus must file an amended disclosure that confirms that their surplus has been addressed.

    A candidate has a deficit when the amount of their total expenses exceeds their total contributions.

    Deficit
    Candidates must act to eliminate their deficit within 60 days of filing their campaign disclosure statement.

    Candidates may receive contributions to do this, including self-funded contributions.

    Contribution limits apply to those received to eliminate a deficit.

    Candidates must file an amended disclosure that confirms their deficit has been eliminated.

Additional Resources:

Running for Municipal Office – Alberta Urban Municipalities Association

https://www.auma.ca/advocacy-services/programs-initiatives/running-municipal-office-0

For more information on the election contact Returning Officer Tracy Parker email tparker@yhcounty.ca or call 1-800-665-6030 or 780-723-4800

Please Note: This information provides an overview, but is not a substitute for the detail contained in the legislation. All candidates are responsible for understanding the legislation and bylaws concerning elections.