Voting Stations
Voting stations open at 9:00 a.m. and will remain open until 8:00 p.m. When the voting station is declared closed at 8:00 p.m., any Elector in the voting station who wishes to vote shall be permitted to do so, but no other person shall be allowed to enter the voting station.
Voting Station Locations
For the purpose of a municipal election the City typically has multiple Voting Stations. Each Voting Station shall serve a specific portion of the City. A map of the Voting Station locations will be included in this Package once they have been confirmed.
Institutional Voting Stations
Dates, times, and locations for Institutional Voting Stations have yet to be determined.
Elector Eligibility
A person is eligible to vote in the municipal election if the person:
- is at least 18 years old;
- is a Canadian citizen; and
- resides in Alberta, and is a resident of the City on Election Day.
Every person who arrives at a voting station for the purpose of voting shall verify their eligibility to vote by completing a Voting Register. Once the Voting Register is completed, the Elector will then be given a ballot.
Elector identification will be required for the municipal election. The identification requirement sets a uniform standard of one piece of picture identification or one piece of identification authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer under the Election Act.
Elector Identification Eligibility Requirements
The LAEA establishes the requirements for verification of an Elector’s identity and current residence, as stated in the signed Voting Register. The Elector must produce one piece of photo identification with their name and address, issued by a Canadian government (federal, provincial, local, or an agency thereof), or one piece of identification authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer under the Election Act, including the Elector’s name and address.
Any of the following documents that include the Elector’s name and address on it will be accepted as valid proof:
- Photo identification issued by a Canadian government or agency, whether federal, provincial or local;
- Bank/credit card statement or personal cheque;
- Correspondence issued by a school, college or university;
- Government cheque or cheque stub;
- Income/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: e.g. employment insurance, old-age security, social assistance, disability support, or child tax benefit;
- Utility bill: e.g. phone, public utilities commission, television, electricity, gas or water;
- Vehicle ownership, registration or insurance certificate; or
- A letter or form confirming that the person lives at the stated address. The letter can be signed by any of the following:
- authorized representative of a commercial property management company;
- authorized representative of a correctional institution;
- authorized representative of a First Nations band or reserve;
- authorized representative of a post-secondary institution;
- authorized representative of a facility that provides services to the homeless; or
- authorized representative of a supportive living facility or treatment centre.
Special Ballots
The City will be providing special ballots, which gives Electors who are physically incapable or absent from the jurisdiction, the option to mail in or drop off their ballot. Special ballots provide another avenue for Electors to exercise their right in the democratic process.
To vote using a special ballot, Electors who meet the criteria may apply to the Returning Officer. Requests may be made once Council authorizes the use of special ballots. Electors can request a special ballot anytime before the election – up to and including 4:30 p.m. on Election Day. Requests for Special Ballots are logged and once ballots are available, the packages are mailed out or picked up by the Elector.
NOTE: It is the Elector’s responsibility to return the ballot by 4:30 p.m. on Election Day.
In order to apply for a special ballot, an Elector must meet specific criteria, including but not limited to, being unable to vote at an advance vote or at the voting station on Election Day because of:
- physical incapacity;
- absence from the local jurisdiction; or
- being a Returning Officer, Deputy Returning Officer, Constable, Candidate, Official Agent or Scrutineer who may be located on Election Day at a voting station other than that for the Elector’s place of residence.
A request for a special ballot may be made by any one of the following methods:
- mailed to 10005 102 Street, Fort Saskatchewan, AB T8L 2C5 Attn: Director, Legislative Services;;
- by telephone to 780-992-6200;
- by fax machine 780-998-4774;
- dropped off in person to 10005 102 Street, Fort Saskatchewan, AB T8L 2C5; or
- by e-mail to elections@fortsask.ca.
A Candidate may request a list of the names and addresses of those Electors who have applied and been provided with special ballots.
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A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ELECTION PROCESSES AND PROCEDURES FOR CANDIDATES CAN BE FOUND IN THE CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACKAGE.
Download the Candidate Information Package
COVID-19 Campaigning & Canvassing Guidelines
Candidates are responsible to ensure they are in compliance with the Local Authorities Election Act.
Candidate Questions & Responses
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In order to hold fair and impartial elections, this section contains information that has been requested by other candidates along with their responses, which would provide value to all candidates in preparation for the upcoming municipal election.
Request for a breakdown on the 2017 voter turnout per voting station on election day
| Voting station location | Number of votes |
|---|
| Legion |
1,744 |
| James Mowatt |
2,072 |
| Dow Centennial Centre |
2,339 |
| Election Day Total |
6,155 |
Request for statistics on the Mayor’s vote
The overall breakdown for the Mayor’s vote (includes advance voting, special ballots, institutional voting, and election day voting) is:
| Voting station location | Gale | Arjun | Judy |
|---|
| Legion |
982 |
723 |
39 |
| James Mowatt |
1,199 |
817 |
56 |
| DCC |
1,211 |
1,081 |
47 |
| Advance - DCC |
277 |
238 |
18 |
| Advance - DCC |
223 |
248 |
7 |
| Institutional |
1 |
1 |
0 |
| Institutional |
34 |
13 |
1 |
| Institutional |
8 |
2 |
2 |
| Special Ballots |
24 |
25 |
1 |
| Total |
3,959 |
3,148 |
171 |
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Qualification of a Candidate
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Section 21 of the LAEA outlines qualifications of a Candidate. Eligibility requirements for a person to be nominated as a Candidate on Nomination Day (from January 1, 2021 to noon on September 20, 2021) include:
- The potential Candidate is eligible to vote in the election, when the Candidate:
- is at least 18 years old,
- is a Canadian citizen, and
- resides in the City on Election Day;
- The potential Candidate has lived in the City for 6 consecutive months (March 18, 2021) immediately before Nomination Day; and
- The potential Candidate is not otherwise ineligible or disqualified.
The Nomination Paper and Candidate Acceptance (Form 4) must be completed and requires the Candidate to sign an affidavit confirming:
- that they are eligible to be elected;
- will accept the office if elected; and
- have reviewed the LAEA.
The Candidate must swear or affirm the affidavit before the Returning Officer or a Commissioner for Oaths and return the form to the Returning Officer.
The nominated Candidate is responsible for ensuring that the nomination paper filed is fully completed and meets the requirements of the LAEA. If a nomination is challenged, the courts will assess eligibility.
In accordance with Section 151 of the LAEA it is an offence for a Candidate to sign a Candidate’s Acceptance Form that contains a false statement, which is subject to a fine of up to $1,000.
Ineligibility for Nomination as a Candidate
Sections 22 and 23 of the LAEA provide an overview of instances when a person is ineligible to be nominated as a Candidate in a municipal election. Some of those instances include when:
- the person is an auditor for the City;
- the person is an employee of the City, unless that person takes a leave of absence;
- the person’s City property taxes are more than $50 in arrears, not including current taxes or previous taxes addressed in a consolidation agreement;
- the person owes the City any amount exceeding $500 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.
As this information does not detail all instances of ineligibility, Candidates are responsible for consulting the LAEA. It is the Candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are eligible for nomination.
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Nominations
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Nomination Day
Nomination Day for the offices of Mayor, Councillor, Public School Trustee and Catholic School Trustee is Monday, September 20, 2021. The Candidate may file their nomination papers any time between January 1, 2021 until 12:00 noon on September 20, 2021.
Nomination Form
Every nomination of a Candidate shall be completed through the submission of a Nomination Paper and Candidate’s Acceptance. Each nomination form must be fully completed, and include the signatures of at least 5 eligible Electors. To ensure validity of nominations, a Candidate may submit more than the required 5 Electors’ signatures. If a nomination is not signed by at least 5 Electors, the Returning Officer cannot accept the form.
The City does not collect a deposit to file nomination papers.
Download the Candidate Nomination Package
Filing of Nomination Papers
Nominations for the offices of Mayor and Councillor will be accepted by appointment with the the Returning Officer beginning on January 1, 2021 until 12:00 noon on September 20, 2021. Nomination forms are to be filed with Legislative Services by appointment at City Hall located at 10005 – 102 Street, Fort Saskatchewan. Alternatively, completed nomination forms may be mailed or couriered to City Hall, attention to the Returning Officer. The Returning Officer is unable to accept nominations before January 1, 2021 or after 12:00 noon on Nomination Day. Facsimiles and electronically submitted copies will not be accepted.
After 12:00 noon on Nomination Day, any person may make a request to examine the filed nomination papers by contacting the Returning Officer to make arrangements.
School Trustee nomination forms are not accepted by the City of Fort Saskatchewan. They must be delivered to the appropriate School Board Returning Officer.
The Candidate is responsible for ensuring that the nomination filed meets the requirements of the LAEA.
Withdrawal of Nomination Papers
Within 24 hours of the close of Nomination Day at 12:00 noon on September 20, 2021, a Candidate may withdraw their nomination, provided that more than 1 Candidate for Mayor or 6 Candidates for Councillors have been nominated. The Returning Officer is unable to accept a withdrawal if it would result in less than the required number of Candidates for that office.
If a Candidate wishes to withdraw their nomination papers, a written notice must be provided to the Returning Officer no later than 12:00 noon, September 21, 2021.
Election by Acclamation
If at the close of Nomination Day at 12:00 noon on September 20, 2021, the number of Candidates nominated for any office is the same as the number required to be elected, the Returning Officer shall declare the Candidates to be acclaimed to the offices for which they were nominated.
MORE DETAILS FOR CANDIDATES CAN BE FOUND IN THE CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACKAGE.
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Additional Resources for Candidates
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Elections Bylaw
This bylaw provides for the authorization, processes, and other details necessary for conducting a municipal election in the City of Fort Saskatchewan.
Election Signage Bylaw
This bylaw provides for the authorization, processes, and use of election signs on public land within the City of Fort Saskatchewan.
Election Campaign Provisions Policy
This policy aims to ensure all candidates have access to the same information and are treated equally, and to establish guidelines for the appropriate use of City of Fort Saskatchewan facilities and resources during an election campaign.
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Unofficial Election Results
Following the close of Voting Stations at 8:00 p.m., unofficial election results will be available for the convenience of Candidates and the public through the following sources:
- City Hall lobby, 10005 – 102 Street, Fort Saskatchewan
- City website, located at fortsask.ca/election
These sources will be updated throughout the evening as results are received from the Voting Stations. As it is difficult to determine when the unofficial election results will be available, your patience is appreciated while election staff work towards providing timely and accurate results.
Official Election Results
At noon on Friday, October 22, 2021, the Returning Officer will post the official election results at City Hall and on the City’s website.
Recounts
Recounts before Official Results
If required, recounts called immediately after Election Day must be completed before the posting of the official election results. Therefore, recounts must be completed before noon on Friday, October 22, 2021.
Returning Officer Recount
On the Tuesday following Election Day, the Returning Officer will examine the results from every Voting Station in conjunction with the unofficial results. A recount may be conducted if the Returning Officer believes there has been an administrative or technical error made.
Candidate or Agent Recount Request
A Candidate, Official Agent or Scrutineer may request a recount by submitting a notice to the Returning Officer within 44 hours (4:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 20, 2021) of the close of Voting Stations. The notice must show grounds, which the Returning Officer considers reasonable to allege that the results of the count may be inaccurate.
Candidate Notification on Recount
Candidates who are affected by a recount will receive at least 12 hours’ notice of the recount.
Recount Procedures
The procedure for a recount will be the same as for Election Day. After completion of the recount, the ballot account will be adjusted if necessary.
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