Information for Candidates

Are you eligible to become a candidate?

To run in the 2025 municipal election in Legal, you must be:

• At least 18 years old;
• A Canadian citizen;
• A Town of Legal resident since March 20, 2025;
• Not otherwise ineligible or disqualified to be a candidate.

Candidate Resources

The Town of Legal Candidate Handbook is a guideline for any person running for municipal council.  

The Province of Alberta provides election resources and information for candidates, including a Guide - Running for Municipal Office in Alberta  and Video resources for prospective candidates.

There have been several legislation changes to the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) and the Municipal Government Act (MGA) for the 2025 Municipal Election. 

• The LAEA provides the framework for conducting elections in Alberta municipalities, school divisions, irrigation districts, and Métis Settlements.
• The MGA governs the roles and responsibilities of local elected officials once they are on council, as well as the administration and operation of municipal authorities in Alberta.

All candidates are encouraged to develop a working understanding of the Local Authorities Election Act, as amended.

It is recommended that candidates seek legal advice, where possible, regarding their obligations.

Alberta Municipalities and Rural Municipalities of Alberta have partnered on an awareness campaign for prospective candidates for the upcoming general election.

• Alberta Municipalities – Running for municipal office resources
• Rural Municipalities of Alberta – Running for municipal office resources 

For school trustee information, visit the Greater St Albert Catholic Schools website or Sturgeon School Division website. 

Important Dates

Notice of Intent

Submitting a notice of intent will add you to the Register of Candidates and enables you to accept campaign contributions and incur campaign expenses set out in Part 5.1 Local Authorities Election Act.

Notice of Intent Form

Filing Nomination Papers

To become a nominated candidate and appear on the ballot, a candidate must complete and file nomination papers during the nomination period from Jan. 1 to Sept. 22, 2025. 

• Between Jan. 1 and Sept. 19, notice of intent forms and nomination papers may be submitted in-person at the Legal Town office to the Returning Officer by appointment only. To make an appointment, please email main@legal.ca or call 780-961-3773.
• On Sept. 22, your papers may be submitted without an appointment between 9 a.m. and noon. Candidate paperwork will not be accepted after noon on Sept. 22.

Candidate nomination forms must be signed by the candidate in the presence of a Commissioner for Oaths, who must commission the form. The Returning Officer is a Commissioner for Oaths and can provide this service for candidates.

Nomination deposits can be paid by cash, money order or certified cheque; $50 for candidates.

Candidates can withdraw their nomination to run in the 2025 municipal election. The deadline to withdraw is noon on Sept. 23. Notice of withdrawal must be in writing. If a candidate’s withdrawal results in there being fewer candidates than there are positions to be filled, the Returning Officer will refuse the withdrawal. Nomination deposits will be refunded to a candidate who withdraws.

After the election, deposits will be refunded to all successful candidates, and all unsuccessful candidates that received at least half as many votes as the successful candidate with the least number of votes.

More resources

Additional resources:

Alberta Municipal Affairs - Elections Website

Kings Printer 

Alberta Municipalities

Local Authorities Election Act

Municipal Government Act

Updates are being made to many of the regulated forms by the Province based on recent amendments to the Local Authorities Election Act. For access to the most recent forms, visit Municipal Elections

After the election, deposits will be refunded to all successful candidates, and all unsuccessful candidates that received at least half as many votes as the successful candidate with the least number of votes.

Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure

All individuals who file a notice of intent form are required to submit Form 26: Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement and is required to keep all records, including campaign receipts, for at least three years after the filing deadline. All records are subject to requirements outlined in the Local Authorities Election Act; you may be required to produce your records.

Part 5.1 Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure of the Local Authorities Election Act outlines the requirements for contributions, limitations and acceptance of contributions, anonymous and unauthorized contributions, duties of candidates, fund-raising functions, expense limits, disclosure statements, campaign surplus, late filing, offences.

About the Office of Mayor and Council

• GOA: Roles and Responsibilities of City Council
• GOA: Pecuniary Interest for Elected Municipal Officials
• GOA: What Every Councillor Needs to Know
• Legal:  Council Code of Conduct Bylaw
• Legal: Council Procedures Bylaw
• Legal Council Social Media Policy

Scrutineers

Candidates may appoint scrutineers to observe voting processes during advance voting and on election day and may also observe the ballot count. Scrutineers must be at least 18 years old and not convicted of an offence under the Local Authorities Election Act, the Election Act, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act or the Canada Elections Act in the last 10 years. 

Every scrutineer must present a signed Appointment of Scrutineer form to the presiding deputy in the voting station to observe proceedings on behalf of the candidate.

Frequently Asked Questions

Am I eligible to run for Councillor?

Anyone considering running for office should confirm their eligibility as a first step. To be eligible, a prospective candidate must be:

• • At least 18 years of age on nomination day (September 22, 2025);
  • A Canadian Citizen;
  • A resident of Legal for the six consecutive months immediately prior to nomination day;
  • A resident of Legal on Election Day (October 20, 2025)
  • Not otherwise ineligible or disqualified under sections 22, 23, and 23.1 of the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA)

What is the "Register of Candidates"?

The "Register of Candidates" is a record of all candidates who have submitted a Notice of Intent to Town of Legal Elections, indicating they plan to seek nomination for the upcoming general election.

Once a prospective candidate’s Notice of Intent submission is complete, they can accept campaign contributions and incur campaign expenses.

Is submitting a "Notice of Intent" the same as submitting the "Nomination Package"

No. Submitting a Notice of Intent is just one step in the process and does not mean you are officially nominated or will appear on the ballot.

The Notice of Intent allows you to be added to the "Register of Candidates", enabling you to accept campaign contributions and incur expenses. To officially become a nominated candidate and appear on the ballot, you must complete the Nomination Package during the Nomination Period (January 2 to September 22, 2025). If you have already submitted a Notice of Intent, some information will be pre-filled in the Nomination Package, allowing you to skip pages 4–5.

Can I withdraw my candidacy after submitting my Nomination Package?

Yes, candidates can withdraw their nomination up to 24 hours after Nomination Day (September 22, 2025), provided there are enough candidates remaining to fill the positions.

Do I need to pay a deposit to submit my Nomination Package?

Yes, a $50 nomination deposit is required when submitting your Nomination Package. The deposit must be paid at by cash or certified cheque payable to Town of Legal.

The deposit is refundable if the candidate meets the criteria outlined in the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA), such as:

• • Receiving at least half the votes of the candidate elected with the fewest votes.
  • Complying with all financial disclosure and filing requirements.

Further details will be provided in the Candidate Guide.

Do my nomination forms need to be commissioned or signed by the Returning Officer?

Yes, nomination forms must be commissioned before submission. Candidates can have their forms commissioned by a Commissioner for Oaths or the Returning Officer.

If you choose to have the Returning Officer commission your forms, this service is available at Town of Legal Office during regular business hours by appointment only. Ensure your forms are completed and bring valid government-issued ID if required.

To book an appointment, email main@legal.ca