Municipal elections – Overview

General election results

Find 2021 municipal election results on the Open Government Portal.

Results for the 2021 senate nominee and referendum vote can be found on the Elections Alberta website.

General election resources

Nominations for the general election open January 1, 2025, and close at noon on September 22, 2025.

For summer villages, the nomination period occurs between June or July, with election day held 4 weeks after the nomination period closes. Check with your local summer village for specific dates.

• Local Authorities Election Act resources

Returning Officers

If you are a Returning Officer or other municipal election official who will conduct a by-election, refer to the resources below.

Prospective candidates

If you are intending to run for municipal office, A Candidate’s Guide: Running for Municipal Office in Alberta offers information regarding eligibility to run, nominations, campaigning, collecting campaign contributions and incurring campaign-related expenses.

If you are intending to run for your local school board, find relevant information at School Board trustee elections information.

If you are a Government of Canada employee running as a candidate in a municipal election in Alberta, you should be aware of some obligations. Read I want to become a candidate for more information.

If you plan to place election signs on provincial highways, read the provincial guidelines for more information. Contact your municipality to inquire about any municipal bylaws that regulate the placement of campaign signage along roadways or on public property.

Notice of intent

Individuals who intend to run as a candidate in their local jurisdiction must submit a written notice of intent to the returning officer in their local jurisdiction.

Once a notice of intent form is accepted as complete by the local jurisdiction, an individual is allowed to be a candidate, accept contributions, or incur campaign expenses according to the rules set out in the Local Authorities Election Act and the Expense Limits regulation.

• Notice of intent form

Municipalities are responsible for ensuring their forms meet the minimum requirements of the legislation.

The above sample form shows the minimum requirements required for the written notice, and municipalities may wish to adapt it as necessary for their local needs.

The returning officer may want modify the form to collect information like:

• the date of submission
• the ward name (if applicable)
• additional contact information, eligibility confirmation, gender or other demographics for statistical reporting
• the preferred method of contact.

Municipalities may also wish to indicate any instructions for how, or where prospective candidates should submit the form.

Third party advertisers

A Provincial Registrar has been appointed for third party advertisers. Third parties planning to incur election advertising expenses or accept election advertising contributions of at least $1,000 in 10 or more local jurisdictions may apply to register with the Provincial Registrar. Email us the completed applications.

• Third Party Advertising Guidelines for local elections in Alberta

For more information on the provincial registration process:

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 780-427-2225
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)

Post-election resources

• Roles and responsibilities of municipal officials
• Pecuniary Interest for Municipal Councillors
• What Every Councillor Needs to Know!

Voter identification requirements

In order to vote in the upcoming municipal elections, voters will be required to provide proof of their name and home address. The following types of verification meet the standard provincial requirement for one piece of identification.

• Identification issued by a Canadian government, whether federal, provincial or local, or an agency of that government, that contains a photograph of the elector and their name and current address.
• Proof of Identity and Ordinary Residence for Tenant Elector issued by the authorized representative of a commercial property management company.
• Proof of Identity and Ordinary Residence for Homeless Elector issued by the authorized representative of a facility that provides services to the homeless.
• Supportive Living Facility issued by the authorized representative of a supportive living facility or treatment centre.
• Bank or credit card statement or personal cheque.
• Correspondence issued by a school, college or university.

• Government cheque or cheque stub.
• Income or property tax assessment notice.
• Insurance policy or coverage card.
• Letter from a public curator, public guardian or public trustee.
• Pension plan statement of benefits, contributions or participation.
• Residential lease or mortgage statement.
• Statement of government benefits (for example, employment insurance, old-age security, social assistance, disability support or child tax benefit).
• Utility bill (for example, telephone, public utilities commission, television, hydro, gas or water).
• Vehicle ownership, registration or insurance certificate.

If a voter’s identification shows a post office box number as the address instead of a residential or legal address, it can be accepted as verification of current address if it is in reasonable distance to the voting jurisdiction.

An elected authority could, by bylaw, require additional verification or a combination of verification to establish the person’s specific current address.

See the Voter identification requirements for more information.

Legislation and regulations

• Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA)
• Local Authorities Election Forms Regulation

Contact

Connect with Municipal Affairs:

Phone: 780-427-2225
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Email: [email protected]

For information related to official government documents, contact Alberta King’s Printer:

7th Floor, Park Plaza Building
10611 98 Avenue
Edmonton, Alberta  T5K 2P7

Phone: 780-427-4952
Toll free: 310-0000 before the phone number (in Alberta)
Fax: 780-452-0668