Election
General municipal elections take place every four years. Voters in the M.D. of Wainwright elect seven councillors to serve a four-year term. The M.D. of Wainwright is divided into seven electoral divisions, with each division electing one councillor (see electoral division map below). The position of Reeve is appointed by a vote of Council members during the Organizational Meeting in October 2025.
October 20, 2025, is the next General Municipal Election.
Please visit this page frequently, as the information may be updated or supplemented. This content is provided as a courtesy to candidates, and the M.D. of Wainwright is not liable for any errors or omissions. For a complete guide to the election and any updates, refer to the Local Authorities Election Act (“LAEA”). Candidates are responsible for familiarizing themselves with the relevant legislation and bylaws related to this election.
Important Dates
| October 31, 2024 | 2025 campaign period begins |
| January 1, 2025 | Nomination period begins |
| March 1, 2025 | 2024 campaign disclosure statements are due |
| September 22, 2025 | Close of nominations (noon) |
| September 23, 2025 | Deadline to withdraw a nomination (noon) |
| September 30, 2025 | 2025 campaign disclosure statements due (contributions received between Jan 1/25 to Jul 31/25) |
| TBD | Advance Voting |
| October 20, 2025 | Election Day |
| October 26, 2025 | Deadline for applications for a threshold recount (noon) |
| November 10, 2025 | Elector deadline to apply for judicial recount |
| December 31, 2025 | Campaign period ends |
| March 2, 2026 | 2025 campaign disclosure statements due (contributions received between Jan 1/25 to Dec 31/25) |
Candidate Eligibility
A person may be nominated in any election under the LAEA if the person:
- is eligible to vote in the election;
- has resided in the municipality and the ward (if applicable) for six consecutive months immediately preceding nomination day; and
- is not otherwise ineligible.
A person is not eligible to be nominated in any election under the LAEA if the person:
- is the auditor of the local jurisdiction for which the election is to be held;
- is an employee of the Office of the Ombudsman who has not taken a leave of absence;
- is an employee of the local jurisdiction for which the election is to be held unless the person takes a leave of absence;
- is indebted to the municipality of which the person is an elector for taxes in default exceeding $50, excluding from that amount any indebtedness for current taxes, and any indebtedness for arrears of taxes for which the person has entered into a consolidation agreement with the municipality, unless the person is in default in the payment of any money due under the agreement;
- is indebted to the local jurisdiction for which the election is to be held for any debt equalling or exceeding $500 and in default for more than 90 days; or
- the person has, within the previous 10 years, been convicted of an offence under the LAEA, the Election Act, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act or the Canada Elections Act (Canada).
Notice of Intent
The Notice of Intent is a new requirement under the LAEA and differs from the nomination process.
An individual who intends to be nominated or has been nominated to run for election in a local jurisdiction as a candidate must file the Notice of Intent to Run form with the Returning Officer before accepting campaign contributions or incurring campaign expenses. Once submitted, the Returning Officer will review the form, and it will be considered complete only when the candidate is added to the Register of Candidates.ning Officer will review the form, and it will be considered complete only when the candidate is added to the Register of Candidates.
Download the Notice of Intent here.
The Notice of Intent to be nominated can be submitted in one of the following ways:
Email: elections@mdwainwright.ca
Mail:
M.D. of Wainwright No. 61
Attn: Returning Officer
717 – 14 Avenue
Wainwright, AB T9W 1B3
In-person: M.D. of Wainwright Admin Office, 717 – 14 Avenue, Wainwright, AB
Register of candidates
Once confirmed by Returning Officer, the name of the candidate will be included on the Register of Candidates and posted publicly in accordance with the LAEA. Once a notice of intent has been accepted by the Returning Officer, an individual is allowed to accept contributions and/or incur campaign expenses according to the rules set out in the LAEA and the Expense Limits Regulation.
Please note that submitting a Notice of Intent and being added to the Register of Candidates does not replace the nomination procedure.
| Division 1 | ||
| Name (Last, First) | Office for which individual is seeking election | Filings |
| Buck, Oscar | Cadidate for Councillor, Division 1 | Notice of Intent: August 1, 2025 Nomination Filing: August 1, 2025 |
| Division 2 | ||
| Name (Last, First) | Office for which individual is seeking election | Filings |
| None at this time | ||
| Division 3 | ||
| Name (Last, First) | Office for which individual is seeking election | Filings |
| None at this time | ||
| Division 4 | ||
| Name (Last, First) | Office for which individual is seeking election | Filings |
| Leighton, Robin | Candidate for Councillor, Division 4 | Notice of Intent: July 28, 2025 Nomination Filing: July 28,2025 |
| Division 5 | ||
| Name (Last, First) | Office for which individual is seeking election | Filings |
| None at this time | ||
| Division 6 | ||
| Name (Last, First) | Office for which individual is seeking election | Filings |
| None at this time | ||
| Division 7 | ||
| Name (Last, First) | Office for which individual is seeking election | Filings |
| None at this time | ||
Nomination Procedure
The nomination period for the 2025 general election will begin on January 1, 2025, and run until 12:00 p.m. on Nomination Day: Monday, September 22, 2025.
To submit a nomination for the office of Councillor, please find the required forms below. Be sure to use the electoral division map to confirm the division in which you reside.
- Notice of Intent
- Form 4 – Nomination Paper and Candidate’s Acceptance
- Form 5 – Candidate Financial Information
- M.D. of Wainwright No. 61 Ownership Map (With Divisions)
Once completed, your nomination must be submitted with the $100 nomination deposit (may be paid by debit card, money order, certified cheque, or cash, at time of submission) to the Returning Officer, Mackenzie Bethune, at the M.D. of Wainwright Admin Office located at 717 – 14 Avenue, Wainwright, AB. If submitting prior to September 22, 2025, please book an appointment using the contact information below.
Another person may file the nomination on your behalf. However, you are responsible for ensuring the nomination is accurate and complete. Signatures must be from eligible voters who live within the electoral division you wish to represent. Original hand-written signatures are required. Digital signatures are not accepted.
Candidate Disclosure
All candidates must submit a campaign disclosure statements to the M.D. of Wainwright. This includes any candidate who:
– withdraws their nomination;
– self-funds their campaign;
– runs a campaign with zero expenses or contributions, or both, or;
– files a notice of intent to be nominated in 2025.
Candidates are responsible for ensuring that their disclosure statements are accurate and submitted on time.
The Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) was updated to require candidates for the 2025 General Election to submit financial disclosure statements by Sept. 30, 2025, if they received contributions between Jan. 1, 2025 and July 31, 2025.
Candidates must submit original documents with original signatures. The documents must be submitted in person at the M.D. Admin office or by mail. Digital submissions sent by email will not be accepted.
For inquiries regarding the 2025 municipal election please contact Returning Officer, Mackenzie Bethune at (780) 842-4454 or elections@mdwainwright.ca.