Are you Qualified to Run as a Municipal Election Candidate?
Sections 21 to 23 of the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) outline the eligibility requirements for municipal candidates and list conditions for disqualification.
To become a Candidate, you must be:
- 18 years of age on nomination day;
- a Canadian citizen;
- a resident of Three Hills for at least six (6) consecutive months immediately preceding nomination day; and
- not be otherwise ineligible or disqualified.
Nomination Documents
For the candidate’s nomination to be valid, the candidate must complete the prescribed Nomination Papers. A complete form will:
- be complete and in the prescribed form; and
- be signed by at least 5 electors eligible to vote in the 2025 Municipal Election and be a resident of Three Hills on the date of signing.
All candidates are required to complete:
Nomination papers must be submitted in person to the Returning Officer at the Town office during regular business hours (Monday to Friday between the hours of 8:30 AM and 4:00 PM).
NEW! Notice of Intent
New in 2025, the Local Authorities Election Act requires anyone who intends to run as a candidate to submit a written Notice of Intent (Form 29) to the Returning Officer.
Once your Notice of Intent form has been accepted by the Returning Officer, you are allowed to be a candidate, accept contributions, and incur campaign expenses according to the rules set out in the Local Authorities Election Act and the Expense Limits Regulation.
Candidates or someone acting for a candidate shall not accept a contribution in respect of an election outside the campaign period for that election.
The Town will maintain a register of candidates who have given notice on our website.
*IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO RUN IN THE ELECTION, YOU ARE ALSO REQUIRED TO FILE A NOMINATION FORM*
Do You Understand the Position?
As a member of Council, you will have the opportunity to significantly influence the future of your community. All decisions must be made at meetings, held in public, at which a quorum is present.
As an individual member of Council, you will not have the power to commit your municipality to any expenditure or to direct the activities of municipal employees. Any promise you make as part of your election campaign that involves municipal expenditures, or the activities of employees can only be carried out if a majority of Council votes in favor of the matter at a meeting.
The duties and responsibilities of councillors are outlined in Sections 152 to 156 of the Municipal Government Act. In general, members of Council are expected to participate in setting policies and governance planning for the municipality.
Understanding Responsibilities of the Position (Time Commitment)
Becoming a member of Council is a challenging and rewarding experience. As an elected official, you will have the opportunity to influence the future of your community. You will be expected to represent our community and act on its behalf.
As a member of Council, there will be demands on your time, energy, and commitment. In addition to regular meetings, you will be required to attend special meetings, committee and board meetings, and various public meetings and functions.
If elected as a member of Council, you will be expected to serve a four (4) year term. Your term of office begins at the first meeting of the Council following the general election. During the four-year term, you will be expected to attend:
- Regular Meetings of Council and Committee of the Whole Meetings which are typically held on Mondays commencing at 5:30 PM. You will be required to prepare for these meetings by reviewing an agenda that will be provided to you prior to the meeting;
- Special Meetings of Council that may be called from time to time to deal with time-sensitive matters;
- Meetings of other boards, commissions, and committees to which you are appointed as the Town's representative;
- Conferences, conventions, seminars, and workshops;
- Social and other events promoting the Town; and
- Strategic planning sessions and budget discussion sessions.
The Town is a member of both the Alberta Municipalities Association (AB Munis) and the Rural Municipalities Association (RMA) organizations. Both organizations hold annual conferences which members of Council will be expected to attend. The Town is also a member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), which the Mayor and two Councillors are expected to attend in early June.
In addition to attending the above, members of Council will be required to spend adequate time reviewing materials provided to them by Administration to adequately prepare for meetings in order to make informed decisions.