The 2025 Candidate Guide to Municipal Elections is a key resource for the election process, offering general candidate information, details on Council member roles, involvement in meetings and events, nomination guidelines, and more.
For Candidates
Thinking About Running for Council? Start Here.
Municipal government plays a vital role in shaping the community we live in, everything from roads and waste collection to emergency services and planning and development. If you're considering running in the upcoming municipal election, this is your one-stop resource.
Explore the steps to become a candidate, learn about eligibility, nomination, campaign rules, and access important dates, forms, and supports to guide you through the process.
Forms and Resources
All candidates must review the roles and responsibilities of elected officials, and follow the nomination process outlined below. Refer to the Key Election Dates for an overview of important events.
What do I need to know about municipalities and local governance?
What are the different roles in a municipality?
What can I expect and what is expected of me as a member of council?
How do I run for elected office?
2025 Candidate Guide to Municipal Elections (RMWB)
A candidate's guide: running for local elected office in Alberta (Government of Alberta)
For additional guidance, the Province has created a candidate's guide for running for local elected office in Alberta.
Video series - Running for municipal office (Alberta Municipalities)
Everything You Need to Get Started
- Candidate Eligibility
- Campaign Expense Limits
- Campaigning and Advertising
- Elected Officials Honorarium
- Election Signs
- Key Election Dates
- Role of RMWB Elected Official
- What to Expect if Elected
You can also use the Candidate Guide to learn more about the process, requirements, and what to expect. If you still have questions or you're ready to book your appointment to file your nomination papers, feel free to email the Elections team at elections@rmwb.ca.
If you live in a rural community, you can also reach out to your local municipal office for support and information.
The nomination period for the 2025 municipal election runs from Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2025 to Monday, Sept. 22, 2025, 12 p.m. (noon).
- Important information for RMWB Council candidates can be found in the RMWB Mayor and Councillor Nomination Package.
- The nomination forms have been updated to reflect changes to the 2025 municipal election through the Local Authorities Election Act.
| Note: It is important that you follow the steps of the nomination process outlined below. |
Candidate Profiles
To help inform voters, the RMWB will be featuring candidate profiles on its election webpage for the first time.
Candidates will be able to submit 150-word profile statements and photos and schedule a video recording session to create a 1-minute candidate video. These candidate profiles will be posted after Sept. 22 (Nomination Day).
In order to submit profile statements, photos or make video booking requests, candidates must complete and submit the Candidate Profile Form. Please read the form for further details on the candidate profile process.
To file a nomination, follow the steps below:
1. Meet all eligibility requirements
To be nominated as a candidate in the 2025 General Election, you must be eligible to vote, therefore you must be:
- at least 18 years old;
- a Canadian citizen;
- a resident of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo and the ward they are running in for at least 6 consecutive months immediately preceding nomination day, September 22, 2025 (that being March 22, 2025); and
- not otherwise ineligible or disqualified.
There may be other reasons you are ineligible to run as a candidate – refer to the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA).
2. Complete and file your Notice of Intent
Anyone who intends to run as a candidate in the 2025 Municipal Election must submit a notice of intent. Prospective candidates can submit their notice of intent from now until Sept. 22, 2025.
Candidates who plan to run in the 2025 Election can only accept campaign contributions and incur campaign expenses once their notice of intent is complete and they are added to the Register of Candidates.
How to Submit your Notice of Intent
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Fill out the Notice of Intent in full.
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Submit the completed form to the Returning Officer in one of the following ways:
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Email: elections@rmwb.ca
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In-Person during regular business hours Mon - Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.:
Attention: RMWB Elections Team, Legislative Services, 7th Floor, Jubilee Building, 9909 Franklin Avenue, T9H 2K4
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Mail/Courier:
Attention: RMWB Elections Team, Legislative Services, Jubilee Building, 9909 Franklin Avenue, T9H 2K4
Acknowledging receipt of Notice of Intent
Following receipt of a notice of intent, RMWB elections will confirm within 3 business days if the notice of intent meets legislated requirements. If the notice meets requirements, the candidate’s name and information will be added to the Register of Candidates within 2 business days.
Note: It is a candidate’s responsibility to notify the Elections Office if there are any changes to the information provided on this form.
3(a). Complete Form 4 - Candidate Nomination and Acceptance Form
RWMB Council
Fort McMurray School Districts
How to Guide for assistance in completing Form 4 – Nomination Paper and Candidate’s Acceptance
3(b). Complete Form 5 - Candidate Financial Information
Candidates disclose information on where their campaign records will be maintained and their campaign bank account information.
RWMB Council
Fort McMurray School Districts
Form 5 - Catholic School Trustee
Form 5 - Public School Trustee
How to Guide for assistance in completing Form 5 – Candidate Financial Information
3(c). Complete the information disclosure consent form
Candidates give contact information to the RMWB Elections team and provide contact information they would like shared with the public on the RMWB Elections webpages.
When filing nomination papers for the position of Mayor or Councillor, you must pay the required deposit of $250 for the position of Mayor and $100 for Councillor.
The required deposit can be paid by cash, certified cheque, money order, debit card or credit card. Payments by credit card or debit card can only be made at in-person appointments. Do not send cash in the mail.
Make an appointment:
Nomination papers and deposits can be filed during regular business hours Mon – Fri 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in person with the Elections Office by making an appointment.
For more information and to make arrangements to file your nomination:
- Email elections@rmwb.ca
- Call 780-743-7000
Mail / Courier your completed forms and deposit:
Completed nomination papers and deposit can be sent by mail or courier to the Elections Office at:
Legislative Services
Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo
9909 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray, AB T9H 2K4
Additional information
Form 4 must be commissioned by a Commissioner for Oaths or Notary Public in and for Alberta.
The deposit must be paid by certified cheque or money order payable to the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo. Do not send cash.
If you have filed via email the Elections Office will acknowledge your email and confirm that you have been accepted as a candidate within 3 business days.
If you have filed your nomination papers via mail or courier, confirmation may take up to 5 business days from the date of receipt of your papers.
School trustee candidate information
Thinking of running for school board? School trustee candidates should consult the School Board Trustee Nomination Package for key information. Public school board candidates can also review the School Board Election Handbook for additional details about campaigning and election procedures.
This information is intended to assist potential candidates for the 2025 Election in October 2025. It has no legislative sanction and is not inclusive of all the information related to the office of Mayor and Councillor, election procedures and election legislation. It is not a substitute for legal advice. It is recommended that you obtain a copy of the Local Authorities Election Act and other relevant legislation.
It is the candidate’s responsibility to read and understand all legislation concerning elections and to seek legal and accounting advice from professionals or to contact Municipal Affairs regarding requirements under provincial legislation.
Contact Us
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Phone: 780-743-7000
Toll free: 1-800-973-9663
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