Thank you for your interest in Calgary’s General Election, taking place on October 18, 2021.

You are receiving this newsletter because you signed up for email updates or had provided your email address during the candidate information session.

LIST OF ELECTORS (VOTERS LIST)

Elections Calgary has received questions regarding the use of a list of electors or voters list.

Municipal elections are governed by provincial legislation - the Local Authorities Election Act (the Act). The Act empowers the council of a municipality, if it so desires, to direct the preparation of a list of electors who are entitled to vote in an election (per section 50(1) of the Act.

As of the current date, Council has not directed the Returning Officer to prepare a list of electors for the 2021 general election.

The Returning Officer will be seeking Council’s direction on preparing a list of electors in July when amendments to the Election Bylaw (35M2018) will be brought forward.

If Council directs the preparation of a list of electors, the Returning Officer will prepare that list and pursuant to section 50(2) of the Act will be required to provide the list of electors to candidates who request it on September 22, following the last day to withdraw nominations (September 21, 2021).

Per section 50(3)(a) of the Act, the list of electors can only be used for campaign purposes. Section 158 of the Act provides that if a person uses the list of electors for a non-campaign purpose, that person has committed an offence and would be liable for a fine of not more than $100,000, or imprisonment of not more than one year, or both. Click here for more information.

THIRD PARTY ADVERTISERS

The election advertising period for third party advertisers began on May 1st. The City held two information sessions for third party advertisers, which covered:

• What is a Third Party Advertiser?

• Third Party Advertiser registration process

• Election advertising

• Advertising campaign considerations

The session presentation information is now available online , where you can find a copy of the presentation, a recording of the session and a copy of the questions and answers from the sessions.


If you attended the session would like to provide feedback, please fill out this survey so we can improve future sessions.

As a reminder, third parties who engage or intend to engage in election advertising must register with Elections Calgary . Provincial guidelines are also available at: Third Party Guidelines for Local Elections in Alberta.

THE CALGARY BOARD OF EDUCATION (CBE) CANDIDATE INFORMATION SESSION MAY 12.

The Calgary Board of Education (CBE) Board of Trustees is holding a candidate information session on May 12. People planning to run for public school board trustee or who have filed their nomination papers can attend. The session is intended to help people understand the role of a trustee.

For more information or to sign up, see Trustee Candidate Virtual Information Session.

2021 candidate guidebooks from the Calgary Board of Education (CBE) and the Calgary Catholic School District (CSSD) are available at School board trustee wards and guidebooks.

CANDIDATE WITHDRAWALS

Candidates may withdraw their nomination at any point during nomination period. The withdrawal must be filed in writing with the Returning Officer before 12 p.m. (noon) on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 using the Statement of withdrawal by candidate form.

Once a candidate has submitted a withdrawal notice, the withdrawal is considered final. The deposit will be returned, and they must file disclosure statements for the period they were a candidate. Any campaign surpluses must be handled according to the LAEA section 147.5 and any campaign deficit must be handled as per LAEA section 147.52.

If the individual changes their mind and wishes to be a candidate again, they must file new nomination papers. This includes providing a deposit, collecting signatures and new nomination forms. Campaign funds cannot be transferred.

Withdrawals are not accepted if the candidate has been declared elected by acclamation.

After September 21, 2021, a candidate’s name will appear on the ballot. There are no formal withdrawals after this point. If candidates no longer want to run for office, they must take steps to inform the electors. The name remains on the ballot.

NOMINATION SIGNATURES

Elections Calgary does not verify the information on the nomination papers. It does confirm if there is enough nominating electors (i.e. 100 for council offices or 25 for school board offices) who have provided a name, identifiable street address and signature.

Provided that an identifiable street address has been included, Elections Calgary counts electors even if they have not included “Calgary,” “Calgary, Alberta,” “Calgary, Alberta Canada,” or a postal code. An elector who has indicated that their address is the same as the preceding elector on the form is also counted.

Elections Calgary does not count electors who have not provided a name, identifiable street address, and/or signature. The intent of the legislation is for the elector to provide sufficient information for their identity and street address to be discerned, if the candidate’s nomination is challenged.

An updated Candidate Checklist with that information is also available.


Please note: The information in this email is provided for convenience of reference only. Candidates and third party advertisers are subject to further requirements in the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA). Candidates and third party advertisers are advised to refer to the LAEA and obtain legal advice regarding the full extent of their obligations.