Candidate eligibility

You are eligible to run in the next municipal election if you are:

• at least 18 years of age,
• a Canadian citizen,
• a resident of Strathcona County (to run for Mayor) and a resident of the ward (to run for Councillor) for the six (6) consecutive months before nomination day, and
• not otherwise ineligible or disqualified under the Local Authorities Election Act.

If you would like to run as a candidate for Councillor and need to determine which ward you live in, visit the Strathcona County wards page.

Key dates

• December 31, 2025 –⁠ last day of the 2025 election campaign period.
• January 1, 2026 –⁠ first day of the 2029 election campaign period, "Notice of intent to run" forms can be filed with the Election Office.
• March 1, 2026 –⁠ last day to file disclosure statement for 2025 expenses/contributions.
• September 17, 2029 - nomination day.
• October 15, 2029 - election day.

Notice of intent to run

The campaign period for the 2025 municipal election is October 31, 2024 - December 31, 2025.

Tha campaign period for the 2029 municipal election is January 1, 2026 - December 31, 2029.

Prospective candidates must file the Notice of intent to run (169.8 KB)  form with the Election Office and the form must be filed before accepting campaign contributions or incurring campaign expenses. Once the Election Office receives your completed form, your name will be added to the register of candidates on Strathcona County's website. Candidates must follow the election finance rules set out in Part 5.1 of the Local Authorities Election Act and the Expense Limits Regulation.

Review the disclosure requirements for information about reporting your contributions and expenses.

TIP: Make sure to keep good records of your contributions and expenses. This will be important for completing your disclosure statement(s).

How to be nominated as a candidate

Nominations can be filed during regular business hours between January 1, 2029 and 12 noon on nomination day. You are encouraged to make an appointment with the Election Office prior to arriving. 

Nomination forms will be made available on this page in the fall of 2028.

Required for nomination

• Completed "Nomination paper and candidate's acceptance" form, with signatures from at least five eligible voters.
• $100 deposit.
• Completed "Candidate financial information" form.
• *Completed "Notice of intent to run" form.
• **Completed "Acknowledgement of Council meeting dates and mandatory orientation" form.

*If you haven’t already submitted one. All prospective candidates are required to file a “Notice of intent to run” with the Election Office, and it must be filed before accepting campaign contributions or incurring campaign expenses. 

**The Municipal Government Act requires Strathcona County to offer orientation training to those elected as Mayor or Councillor and requires each Elected Official to attend the training. The Acknowledgement will ensure candidates have sufficient notice to plan to attend this training.

Withdrawing a nomination

A candidate may withdraw their nomination as a candidate:

• before 12 noon on nomination day (close of nomination period), or
• within 24 hours after the close of the nomination period, if more than the required number of candidates for the office are nominated.

Withdrawals must be filed with the Election Office in writing. For convenience, a Withdrawal of nomination form (270.1 KB) is available.

Candidate resources

Copies of the Local Authorities Election Act and the Municipal Government Act are available at:

• Local Authorities Election Act
• Municipal Government Act

Alberta Municipal Affairs has additional information for candidates on their website.

If you have any questions about the rules for running for election, contact Alberta Municipal Affairs:

• 780-427-2225
• ma.advisory@gov.ab.ca