Nomination Process

Nomination Process

• Are you Eligible?

  A person is eligible to be nominated as a Candidate in a municipal election if the person:

  • Is eligible to vote in the election, and
  • has been a resident in the County for at the six (6) consecutive months immediately preceding Nomination Day, and
  • is not otherwise ineligible or disqualified under the Local Authorities Election Act (Sections 21-24)
• Notice of Intent to Run

  Residents who want to run for office must submit a completed Notice of Intent before they can collect campaign contributions. (LAEA Section 147.22) A Notice of Intent form has been provided to assist with filing; however, other forms of written notice will be accepted providing it includes the following information:

  1. the full name, address and contact information of the individual;
  2. the address of the place or places where records of the individual are maintained and of the place to which communications may be addressed;
  3. the names and addresses of the financial institutions to be used by or on behalf of the individual as depositories for campaign contributions made to that individual; and 
  4. the names of the signing authorities for each depository.

  Your form or written notice must be submitted to the Returning Officer via email at elections@foothillscountyab.ca  or delivered to the Foothills County Administration Office in High River during regular office hours. 

• Nomination Fees

  The nomination fee is $500.00 as set forth in Bylaw 65/2024 - Candidates Nomination Deposit Bylaw. The deposit can be provided by way of cash, certified cheque, money order or debit card.

  Nomination papers are considered incomplete until the fee is received and will not be accepted by Foothills County without the required fee.

  Successful candidates will be refunded this fee after the election. Fees will also be refunded to unsuccessful candidates who received at least half the votes in the same race as the successful candidate with the least number of votes, or if the candidate withdraws in accordance with section 32 of the LAEA.

• Nomination Papers

  Nomination papers must be filed in person at the County Administration Office during regular business hours. Candidates are to contact Legislative Services to book an appointment with the Returning Officer. Nomination papers received by mail will not be accepted.

  Candidates are required to complete and provide the following forms to the Returning Officer:

  • Form 4 - Nomination Paper and Candidate’s Acceptance (PDF download)
  • Form 5 - Candidate Financial Information (PDF download)
  • Release of Information (PDF download)

  The Local Authorities Election Act requires that a candidate’s nomination papers be signed by at least five people from Foothills County who are eligible to vote in the 2025 municipal election. A candidate’s five signatories must be residents of your division and be eligible voters on the date that they sign the candidate’s nomination papers. Foothills County suggests that each candidate obtain at least 10 signatures prior to submitting their nomination papers. This will ensure that, in the event that any of the signatures are deemed to be invalid, the candidate meets the minimum requirements of 5 valid signatures.

• Candidate Information Packages

  Please check back for your Candidate Information Package