2025 Municipal Election Info.

2025 ELECTIONS!!!!

 Section 12 of the Local Authorities Election Act requires Summer Villages to determine a Nomination Day, to occur in June or July of 2025. If the number of candidates nominated exceeds the number of candidates required, then there is an election 4 weeks after nomination day. The following dates have been set for the Summer Village of Birch Cove Municipal Election:

Nomination Day:  Saturday, June 21st, 2025 from 10 a.m. until 12 noon at the Birch Cove Community Shelter – located at Municipal Reserve Lot R2, Plan 2684MC

Advance Vote: Monday, July 14th, 2025 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Birch Cove Community Shelter

Election Day: Saturday, July 19th, 2025 from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m. at  the Birch Cove Community Shelter

Please note that, due to changes in the Local Authorities Election Act, Vouching will NOT be allowed during the 2025 Summer Village of Birch Cove Municipal Election.

 

Who can vote in the Summer Village Election?

 To vote in the election you must:

  • Be at least 18 years old; and
  • Be a Canadian citizen; and
  • Reside in Alberta; and
  • Your place of residence is in the Summer Village on election day; or
  • You must be on the certificate of title as the person who owns property within the Summer Village; or
  • You must be the spouse or adult interdependent partner of a person who is on the certificate of title.

Who can run in the Summer Village Election?

To be a candidate in the election you must:

  • Be entitled to vote in the election; and
  • Have been a resident in Alberta for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding election day; and
  • Not otherwise be disqualified.

Nomination Information:

Nomination packages can be downloaded from our website, HERE, or can be picked up at the Municipal Office (2317 Twp 545, Lac Ste Anne County). Or you can download the required forms directly from the Municipal Affairs election forms website.

There are a number of forms included in the nomination Package, please note that these cannot be submitted electronically:

Form 29 Notice of Intent – this is notice that you intend to run in the municipal election and can be handed in to the Returning Officer at any time.

The latest it can be handed in is when your nomination papers are filed.

Form 4 Nomination Paper & Candidates Acceptance – this form must include the signatures of at least 5 eligible electors.

Form 5 Candidate Financial Information – This must be handed in with your nomination papers.

Form 26 Campaign Disclosure Statement & Financial Statement – this form must be handed in, by all candidates, no later than March 1, 2026.

Nomination papers and associated forms will be accepted on Nomination Day from 10 a.m. until 12 noon,  2025. If someone other than you is dropping off your paperwork, it must be signed by a Commissioner of Oaths.

Information & Resources:

Running for office and serving your community as an elected official can be a rewarding and worthwhile endeavour for you and your community. However, it can feel overwhelming at times, and it’s important to understand what the election process and serving as a Councillor entails. Below are links to resources that can help. In addition to the resources below, the Summer Village is working on putting together a CANDIDATE INFORMATION SESSION. Stay tuned to our website for more information on this important session.

abmunis.ca/advocacy-resources/running-municipal-office

alberta.ca/municipal-elections-overview

Local Authorities Election Act

Municipal Affairs – A Candidates Guide: Running for Municipal Office in Alberta

Candidate Orientation Sessions

Do you want to learn more about the election process or what means to be a CANDIDATE or MUNICIPAL COUNCILLOR?

The Summer Village of Birch Cove is participating in two candidate orientation sessions. These sessions will be the same and will cover key information about candidacy, the election process, and what to expect if you win! No registration is required and everyone is welcome.

May 3, 2025

10 a.m. to 12 noon

Stettin-Nakamun Hall
5404 Township Road 571, Lac Ste Anne County

 

May 24, 2025

10 a.m. to 12 noon

Darwell Seniors Center (Interlake Golden Age Club)
Hwy AB-765, Darwell Alberta

Please note that new rules under the Local Authorities Election Act, require all candidates in the election to open a bank account for the purposes of campaigning, regardless of if you will receive campaign donations or incur campaign expenses. More information will be provided at the CANDIDATE ORIENTATION SESSIONS.

Additional Information for Candidates Regarding Campaign Accounts

Campaign accounts are governed by section 147.3(1)(a) of the LAEA, which mandates that a candidate must open a campaign account in the name of the candidate or their election campaign at a financial institution for the purpose of the election campaign. This must occur at the time the candidate submits a written notice under section 147.22. Since all candidates are required to provide notice under section 147.22, they are also obligated to establish a campaign account. Any funds contributed by a candidate are considered contributions and must be deposited into the campaign account. These contributions must also be disclosed in accordance with section 147.4, using Form 26.

Candidates should be aware that even minor expenses, such as gas mileage, qualify as campaign expenditures and must be paid from the campaign account, even if the funds used are the candidate’s personal funds.

 

Please contact the Returning Officer if you have any questions about the election or nominations.

 

Returning Officer

Angela Duncan

angela@wildwillowenterprises.com

780-967-0271