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)
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

 

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.

Individuals who plan to incur campaign expenses or receive contributions in anticipation of being nominated as a candidate must submit a Notice of Intent to the M.D. of Wainwright. 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.

Download the Notice of Intent here.

The Notice of Intent to be nominated can be submitted in one of the following ways:

Email: election@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.

At present, no Notices of Intent to Run have been submitted to the M.D. of Wainwright.

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.

For inquiries regarding the 2025 municipal election please contact Returning Officer, Mackenzie Bethune at (780) 842-4454 or elections@mdwainwright.ca.