The next general municipal election will be held on
Wednesday, October 27, 2010.
General municipal elections are held every four years on the fourth Wednesday in October. This includes elections for Mayors/reeves and councillors. (Elections for school trustees take place the same day.)
GENERAL INFORMATION
Senior Election Official:
The Senior Election Official is the person appointed by the municipality to exercise general direction and supervision over the conduct of municipal elections. (In the past, this person was called the Returning Officer.)
The SEO for the Rural Municipality of Gimli is Georgia Clarkson.
New Rules for 2010
New for Municipal Elections 2010: Bill 35, The Municipal Conflict of Interest and Campaign Financing Act was passed on October 8, 2009. The Bill creates new campaign rules for municipalities. Campaign financing rules are now in place for all Manitoba Municipalities.
- When accepting contributions, there are rules concerning who can contribute and how much.
- When spending money on your campaign, there are maximum limits set by each municipality.
- You must document any contributions received or campaign expenses incurred; keeping all receipts.
- You must file a statement showing your campaign contributions and expenses. This statement is available to the public.
- All prospective candidates are now required to register with the SEO before beginning their campaign and before the close of nominations.
Changes to The Municipal Council Conflict of Interest Act strengthens the rules that apply to all municipalities. A key change is that council members’ annual statements of assets and interests, which are required to be filed annually, will now be available for inspection.
Qualifications Required to run for Municipal Council
You may run for municipal office if you:
• Are a Canadian citizen;
• Are at least 18 years of age on Election Day;
• Are a resident of Manitoba;
• Are a qualified voter of the municipality (you have either resided or owned property in the municipality for at least six months); and
• Have not been disqualified from running under The Municipal Act or any other Act.
If you have any questions about your qualifications, you are encouraged to discuss the matter with the Senior Election Official.
When Can Campaigning Start?
You must register before you can begin to accept contributions and spend money on your campaign. To register, you must fill out a Registration Form, available from the Senior Election Official.
When Can a Candidate Register?
Candidates must register within a certain timeframe, which is referred to as the campaign period.
MAYOR candidates must register between May 1, 2010 and September 21, 2010.
COUNCILLOR candidates must register between June 30, 2010 and September 21, 2010.
A registered candidate is a prospective candidate who has registered with the SEO during the election campaign period and before nominations close.
Once registered, a prospective candidate may begin accepting campaign contributions and incurring campaign expenditures.
A registered candidate does not become a candidate in the election until he/she files nomination papers with the SEO.
Term of Council Member
The Mayor and Councillors serve a four year term. The term begins at noon the day following Election Day.
Nomination
A person who wishes to be an official candidate in an election and have their name on the ballot paper must first be nominated under The Municipal Councils and School Boards Elections Act. To be nominated, he/she must obtain a minimum number of signatures (based on the number of eligible voters) in the local authority where he/she wishes to be a candidate. The maximum number of signatures ever required is 25. In the Rural Municipality of Gimli, 25 signatures of support of your nomination are required. These voters must appear on the municipality’s voters list to be considered eligible.
Please note that for non-resident owners, only two non-resident landowners may vote in a municipal election.
Filing Nomination Papers
All candidates must file nomination papers during the nomination period, September 15 to 21, 2010.
Once nomination papers have been filed with the SEO, they are considered public information and are available for the public to view.
Information for Prospective Municipal Election Candidates
A guidebook for municipal candidates that provides an overview of the election process, the steps to run for municipal office, and a summary of new campaign finance rules:
VOTING OPPORTUNITIES
ONCE DATES, TIMES AND LOCATIONS OF VOTING OPPORTUNITIES ARE CONFIRMED, THEY WILL BE POSTED ON THE WEBSITE
Election Day
Voting places will be open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
As long as you enter the voting place before 8:00 pm on Election Day, and are a qualified voter of the municipality, you may vote.
Advance Voting
Every municipality is required to hold one advance opportunity.
Notice must be given of the date and location of advance voting in the notice of election.
Advance voting must be open from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm.
Any eligible voter may vote in advance, provided they expect to be unable to attend the voting place on Election Day.
Sealed Envelope Voting
Every municipality is required to offer sealed envelope voting (formerly known as “vote by mail”).
Any eligible voter may vote by sealed envelope, provided they expect to be unable to attend the voting place on Election Day.
A voter may apply in person or in writing (mail or fax) before Election Day to receive a ballot. Ensure you apply early enough in advance to be able to return your sealed envelope ballot by 8:00 pm on Election Day.
Mobile Voting
Every municipality is required to establish a mobile voting station to serve voters at health care facilities in the municipality, including hospitals, personal care homes, and developmental centres.
A mobile voting station may be set up on Election Day or before Election Day as an advance voting opportunity.
Eligibility to Vote
To be eligible to vote, one must be a Canadian citizen, at least 18 years of age and be a resident of or own property in the municipality for at least six months prior to the date of the election. If your name is not on the voters list, it does not mean that you cannot vote. A date will later be advertised when you can examine your information on the Voters List. You may also register at the polls on the day of the election. You must present identification in order to register.
Personal Security Protection
For personal security reasons, a voter may wish to have their name, address, or other personal information obscured or omitted from the voters list. Any eligible voter may apply to the SEO for personal security protection. In order to apply, the SEO will provide you with a standard form. In order to be omitted/obscured from the voters list, you must apply more than 36 days before the election as the voters list cannot be revised after this date. After you apply, you will be issued a personal security certificate with a voter identification number, which will replace your personal information on the voters list. As a personal security voter, you may only vote by sealed envelope. When applying for personal security protection, you may also wish to inquire about sealed envelope voting.
For more information on running for municipal council, contact your local municipal office, or
Manitoba Local Government
Municipal Finance and Advisory Services
Phone: 204-945-2572
Website: Manitoba.ca/ia
