© Published by Alberta King’s Printer Alberta King’s Printer Suite 700, Park Plaza 10611 - 98 Avenue Edmonton, AB T5K 2P7 Phone: 780-427-4952 E-mail: kings-printer@gov.ab.ca Shop on-line at kings-printer.alberta.ca Province of Alberta Office Consolidation Revised Statutes of Alberta 2000

Chapter L-21 Current as of December 18, 2025 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT

Copyright and Permission Statement The Government of Alberta, through the Alberta King’s Printer, holds copyright for all Alberta legislation. Alberta King’s Printer permits any person to reproduce Alberta’s statutes and regulations without seeking permission and without charge, provided due diligence is exercised to ensure the accuracy of the materials produced, and copyright is acknowledged in the following format: © Alberta King’s Printer, 20__.* *The year of first publication of the legal materials is to be completed.

Note All persons making use of this consolidation are reminded that it has no legislative sanction, that amendments have been embodied for convenience of reference only. The official Statutes and Regulations should be consulted for all purposes of interpreting and applying the law. Amendments Not in Force This consolidation incorporates only those amendments in force on the consolidation date shown on the cover. It does not include the following amendments: 2025 cP-25.5 s244 amends s147.1(1)(f.1).

Regulations The following is a list of the regulations made under the Local Authorities Election Act that are filed as Alberta Regulations under the Regulations Act Alta. Reg.

Amendments Local Authorities Election Act Expense Limits Regulation ............................ 171/2024 ......... 181/2025 Local Authorities Election Forms .................. 106/2007 ......... 68/2008, 81/2010, 164/2010, 73/2013, 84/2017, 264/2018, 81/2019, 298/2020, 160/2021, 9/2025 Local Political Parties and Slates ................... 170/2024 ......... 172/2024, 120/2025 Referendum, Senate Election and Local Authorities Election Forms ...................... 254/2020 ......... 142/2025, 150/2025

1 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT

Chapter L-21 Table of Contents 1

Definitions

Part 1 Election Procedure 2,3 Joint elections 4 Improvement district and special area elections 5 Procedure modification 6 Ministerial powers 6.1 Ministerial powers re emergencies 7 Voting on bylaw or question 8 First elections 9 Term of office 10 General term of office 11 Election day 12 Summer villages 13 Appointment of returning officer and substitute returning officer 13.1 Impartiality 14 Duties of returning officer 14.1 Presiding deputy 15 Constable 16 Oath, statement 18 Substitute deputy or constable 19 Secretary ’s duties 20 Administration of oaths 21 Qualification of candidates 21.1 Criminal record check 22 Ineligibility 23 Ineligibility for nomination 23.1 Disqualification of candidate 24 Re-election

RSA 2000

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 2 25 Nomination day 26 Notice of nomination day 27 Form of nomination 28 Nominations 28.1 Material to be provided to candidate 29 Deposit 30 Disposition of deposit 31 Insufficient nominations 32 Withdrawal of nomination 33 Death of candidate 34 Election by acclamation 35 Notice of election

Part 2 Voting Procedure 36 Voting subdivisions 37 Voting stations 38 Compartments for voting 39 Ballot boxes 40 Sealing the ballot box 41 Printing of ballots 42 Names on ballot 43 Contents of ballot 44 Form of ballot 45 Instructions for voters 46 Voting hours 47 Eligibility to vote 48 Rules of residence 48.1 Residency and voting in Jasper 49 Permanent electors register 49.1 Providing permanent electors register to elected authority 52 Access for campaigners 53 Proof of elector eligibility 53.011 Bylaws with respect to proof of elector eligibility repealed 53.02 Other acceptable identification 53.03 Proof of elector eligibility in Jasper 55 Secrecy of vote 56 Maintenance of secrecy 57 Number of votes 58 Voting time for employees 59 Entries in elector register 60 Initialling of ballot 61 Explanation of manner of voting

RSA 2000

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 3 62 Marking of ballots 63 Disposal of marked ballot 64 Person deemed to have voted 65 Replacement of spoiled ballot 66 Elector declining to vote 67 Persons at voting station 68 Prohibited removal of ballots 68.1 Option for official agent 69 Candidate’s scrutineer 70 Bylaw scrutineers 71 Proof of appointment 72 Interpreter 73 Advance vote 74 Notice of advance vote 75 Advance vote stations 77.1 Application for special ballot 77.2 Vote by special ballot 77.21 Receipt of completed special ballot packages 77.3 Late receipt of special ballot 78 Elector assistance 79 Elector assistance at home 80 Institutional vote location, eligibility and appointments 81 Attendance at an institutional vote 82 Institutional vote procedure 83 Deputy ’s and constable’s votes 84 Alternative voting equipment prohibited 84.1 Elector assistance terminals

Part 3 Post-vote Procedure 85 Counting of votes 85.1 Counting centres 86 Void ballots 87 Note of objection 88 Ballot account 89 Signatures to ballot account 90 Certificate in elector register 91 Packets of ballots 91.1 Copy of elector register 92 Sealing ballot packets 93 Securing election documents 94 Delivery of ballot box and ballot account 95 Election results

RSA 2000

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 4 96 Declaration of vote result 97 Declaration of election result 98 Reasons for preliminary recount 98.1 Recount on request 98.2 Recount process 99 Equal number of votes 100 Delivery of election material 101 Disposition of election material 102 Order for inspection of ballots

Part 4 Recount Procedure 103 Judicial recount application 104 Notice of application 105 Time and place for recount 106 Persons permitted at recount 107 Process for recount 108 Examination of ballots 109 Recess duri ng recount 110 Statement after recount 111 Equal number of recount votes 112 Certification of recount 113 Costs of recount 114 Payment of costs 115 Bylaw vote recount

Part 5 Controverted Elections 116 Bribery 117 Undue influence 119 Oral evidence 120 Forfeiture of seat 121 Penalty for bribery or undue influence 122 Report of bribery or undue influence convictions 123 Witnesses 124 Limitation of action 125 Recovery of penalties 126 Trial of an election 127 Fiat for application 128 Application requirements 129 Filing of documents 130 Service of application 131 Application to try validity of election

RSA 2000

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 5 132 Combination of applications 133 Grounds not allowed 134 Production of election material 135 Adding parties 136 Intervention 137 Hearing 138 Invalid election 139 Liability for costs — improper refusal 140 Liability for costs — non-feasance or misfeasance 141 Form and effect of order 142 Return of judge ’s order 143 Disclaimer after application 144 Effect of disclaimer 145 Delivery of duplicate disclaimer 146 Right of appeal 147 Regulations

Part 5.1 Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure 147.1

Interpretation 147.12 Application of

Part 147.13 Responsibility of contributors 147.2 Limitations on contributions 147.22 Notice required re contributions and expenses 147.221 Register of candidates 147.23 Anonymous and unauthorized contributions 147.24 Contributions not belonging to contributor 147.25 Transfers between local political parties and candidates 147.3 Duties of candidate 147.31 Fund-raising functions 147.32 Receipts 147.33 Loans 147.34 Campaign expense limits 147.4 Campaign disclosure statements 147.5 Campaign surplus 147.52 Campaign deficit 147.53 Sections 147.4, 147.5, 147.52 continue to apply 147.7 Late filing 147.8 Effect of non-compliance in relation to disclosure statements 147.81 Prosecution 147.82 Offences relating to contributions 147.83 Failure of candidate to comply with duties 147.84 Failure to file

RSA 2000

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 6 147.85 Expenses more than maximum 147.91 Regulations and bylaw

Part 6 Offences 148 Prohibitions 149 Offences — returning office r or deputy returning officer 150 Offences — integrity of the vote 151 Offence — candidate’s acceptance 152 Advertisement distribution 152.1 Campaign activities at a voting station 153 Interference with posted documents 154 Improper appointment 155 Provision of time to vote 156 Offence 157 Penalty — general 158 Offence re use of information

Part 7 General 158.1 Methods of notification 158.2 Transitional 158.3 Local political parties and slates of candidates 159,160 Regulations 160.1 Lieutenant Governor in Council regulations re local political parties and slates of candidates 160.2 Ministerial regulations re local political parties and slates of candidates 161 Bylaws valid

Part 8 Third Party Advertising 162

Definitions 162.1 Appointment of Registrar 163 Registration of third parties 164 Cancellation of registration 165 Election advertising expense limit 166 Collusion 167 Restrictions on advertising contributions and expenses 168 Payments made by third party 169 Deposit of advertising contributions 170 Additional rules for groups 171 Valuing contributions other than money

RSA 2000

Section 1

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 7 172 Fund-raising functions 173 Advertising contributions less than $50 174 Loans 175 Anonymous contributions an d unauthorized contributions 176 Contributions not belonging to contributor 177 Receipts 178 Third party advertising expenses 179 Identification of third parties 180 Disclosure of contributions for election advertising 182 Third party election advertising return 183 Disposition of advertising account funds 184 Late filing fee 185 Records 186 Prosecution 187 Third party election advertising offences 188 Regulations 188.1 Transitional — political advertising

Part 9 Election Commissioner 190

Interpretation 191 Duties and powers of the Election Commissioner 192 Notice of investigation and conclusion 193 Administrative penalties 194 Time limit 195 Appeal of administrative penalty 196 Compliance agreements 197 Notice of compliance agreement 198 Failure to comply 199 Publication of notice 200 Application for injunction 201 Election Commissioner’s orders 202 Notice of prosecution 203 Disclosure 204 Duty to provide documents or information 205 Duty to refer compla ints and allegations and to report acts or omissions HER MAJESTY, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Assembly of Alberta, enacts as follows:

Definitions 1 In this Act,

RSA 2000

Section 1

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 8 (a) “advance vote” means a vote taken in advance of election day; (a.1) “Alberta employee organization” means any organization that bargains collectively for employees in Alberta, and for the purposes of this Act all branches in Alberta of an employee organization are deemed to be one employee organization; (a.2) “Alberta trade union” means a trade union as defined in the Labour Relations Code, the Public Service Employee Relations Act or the Canada Labour Code (Canada) that holds bargaining rights for employees in Alberta, and for the purposes of this Act all locals of a trade union are deemed to be one trade union; (b) “area” means the area within the boundaries of a local jurisdiction; (c) “bribery” means bribery within the meaning of

section 116; (d) “by-election” means an election other than a general election or a first election; (e) “bylaw” includes a resolution on which the opinion of the electors is to be obtained; (e.1) “candidate” means, except in

Part 5.1, an individual who has been nominated to run for election in a local jurisdiction as a councillor or trustee; (f) “constable” means a person appointed under this Act as a constable; (g) “council” means the council of a municipality as described in the Municipal Government Act; (h) “councillor” means a member of council; (i) “Court” means the Court of King’s Bench; (j) “deputy” means the deputy returning officer; (k) “elected authority” means (

i) a council under the Municipal Government Act, or (ii) a school board; (iii) repealed 2001 c11 s4;

RSA 2000

Section 1

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 9 (l) “election” means a general election, first election, by-election and a vote on a bylaw or question; (m) “election day” means the day fixed for voting at an election; (n) “elector” means a person eligible to vote at an election; (n.01) “elector assistance te rminal” means a ballot-marking machine that allows an elector to mark a ballot by an accessible means, including by use of Braille-coded keypad, touch screen, pressure-sensitive paddle or breath-enabled marking; (n.1) “elector register” means th e prescribed form on which the name of a person who has registered to vote is recorded; (n.2) “employee organization” means an organization, other than a trade union, that bargains collectively for employees; (o) “first election” means first election referred to in

section 8; (p) “general election” means an election held for all the members of an elected authority to fill vacancies caused by the passage of time; (q) “judge” means a judge of the Court; (r) “local jurisdiction” means a municipality as defined in the Municipal Government Act or a school division as defined in the Education Act; (r.1) “local political party” means, subject to

section 158.3(2), an organization one of whose fundamental purposes is to participate in public affairs by endorsing one or more candidates in a local jurisdiction and supporting their election; (s) “Minister” means the Minister determined under

section 16 of the Government Organization Act as the Minister responsible for this Act; (s.1) “nomination day” means the day referred to in

section 25(1); (s.2) “nomination period” means the relevant period referred to in

section 25(2); (t) “officer” means a retu rning officer or deputy;

RSA 2000

Section 1

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 10 (t.1) “official agent” means a pe rson appointed as an official agent pursuant to

section 68.1; (t.11) “permanent elec tors register” means, (

i) in respect of a municipality, a permanent electors register prepared in accordance with

section 49, and (ii) in respect of a school division, that portion of each municipality’s permanent electors register that has an area in common with the school division; (t.2) “prescribed form” means the appropriate form as set out in the regulations; (t.3) “presiding deputy” means a deputy who has been appointed as a presiding deputy pursuant to

section 14, by a returning officer; (t.4) “registered charity” means a registered charity within the meaning of subsection 248(1) of the Income Tax Act (Canada); (

u) repealed 2001 c11 s4; (v) “relevant Minister” means, (

i) in the case of a municipality, the Minister responsible for the Municipal Government Act, or (ii) repealed 2001 c11 s4, (iii) in the case of a school division as defined in the Education Act, the Minister responsible for

Part 5 of the Education Act; (w) “returning officer” means a person appointed under this Act as a returning officer and includes a person acting in the returning officer’s place; (w.01) “school board” mean s a board as defined in the Education Act; (w.1) “scrutineer” means a pers on recognized as a scrutineer pursuant to

section 69 or appointed pursuant to

section 70; (x) “secretary” means a chie f administrative officer or designated officer of a municipality if the council has assigned the functions of the secretary under this Act to the designated officer, or the secretary of a school board;

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Section 1

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 11 (x.1) “slate” has the meaning prescribed by regulation; (

y) repealed 2018 c23 s2; (z) “spoiled ballot” means a spoiled ballot as described in

section 65; (z.1) “spouse” means the spouse of a married person but does not, for the purposes of

section 22(4), include a spouse who is living separate and apart from the person if the person and spouse have separated pursuant to a written separation agreement or if their support obligations and family property have been dealt with by a court order; (z.2) “supportive living facility” means (

i) a lodge accommodation as defined in the Alberta Housing Act, or (ii) a facility for adults or senior citizens that provides assisted living and accommodation but does not include a treatment centre; (z.21) “trade union” means an or ganization of employees that has a written constitution, rules or bylaws and has as one of its objects the regulation of relations between employers and employees; (z.3) “treatment centre” means an y of the following that provide medical treatment or care on an in-patient basis: (

i) an approved hospital under the Provincial Health Agencies Act; (ii) a facility under the Mental Health Act; (iii) a facility not referred to in subclause (

i) or (ii); (z.4) “trustee” means a member of a school board; (aa) “undue influence” means undue influence within the meaning of

section 117; (bb) repealed 2018 c23 s2; (cc) “voting station” means the place where an elector votes;

RSA 2000

Section 2

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 12 (dd) “voting subdivision” means that area of a local jurisdiction or ward designated as a voting subdivision by the elected authority or the returning officer; (ee) “ward” means (

i) a ward under the Municipal Government Act, or (ii) repealed 2001 c11 s4, (iii) a ward or an electoral subdivision under the Education Act. RSA 2000 cL-21 s1;2001 c11 s4;2002 cA-4.5 s52;2003 c27 s2;2006 c22 s2; 2012 cE-0.3 s276;2014 c8 s17;2018 c23 s2;2020 c22 s2;AR 217/2022; 2024 c11 s1(2);2025 c10 s36;2025 c13 s1(2)

Part 1 Election Procedure Joint elections 2(1) An elected authority may hold an election separately or in conjunction with another elected authority in the same area.

(2) An elected authority may by resolution enter into an agreement with one or more elected authorities in the same area for the conduct of an election.

(3) The agreement referred to in subsection (2) must state which elected authority is responsible for the conduct of the election, and that elected authority must ensure that the procedures prescribed under this Act for holding an election are complied with, including procedures in respect of the retention and destruction of election materials.

(4) The elected authority that is responsible for the conduct of the election under an agreement referred to in subsection (2) has all the rights, powers and duties of the elected authorities that have entered into that agreement respecting the conduct of the election in the area to which the agreement applies, including the power to pass bylaws and resolutions but not the power to pass bylaws under

section 27. RSA 2000 cL-21 s2;2006 c22 s3;2012 c5 s103;2018 c23 s3 Joint elections 3(1) An elected authority may by resolution enter into an agreement for the conduct of an election with one or more elected authorities of local jurisdictions that do not have contiguous boundaries but do have areas in common.

(2) An agreement under subsection (1)

RSA 2000

Section 4

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 13 (

a) must state which elected authority and which returning officer is responsible for the conduct of the election in which area or part of an area, (

b) must require each elected authority to appoint a returning officer, and (

c) may, subject to subsections (3) and (4), provide for all other matters necessary for the conduct of the election.

(3) A person may be a returning officer for more than one elected authority.

(4) The elected authority that is responsible for the conduct of the election under an agreement referred to in subsection (1) has all the rights, powers and duties of the elected authorities that have entered into the agreement respecting the conduct of the election in the area to which the agreement applies, including the power to pass bylaws and resolutions but not the power to pass bylaws under

section 27.

(5) The elected authority that is responsible for the conduct of the election must ensure that the procedures prescribed under this Act for holding an election are complied with, including procedures in respect of the retention and destruction of election materials.

RSA 2000 cL-21 s3;2006 c22 s4;2012 c5 s104;2018 c23 s4 Improvement district and special area elections 4 If an election is to be held in an improvement district or special area, the Minister may assume any of the powers, duties or functions of an elected authority under this Act in respect of that election. 1985 c38 s3;1995 c24 s99(15) Procedure modification 5 All proceedings that, in the opinion of an elected authority, are necessary to give full effect to

section 73, 77.1, 77.2, 77.21, 77.3, 79, 80 or 81 are deemed to be authorized notwithstanding any inconsistencies that may arise between any of those sections and any other provision of this Act. RSA 2000 cL-21 s5;2006 c22 s5;2024 c11 s1(3) Ministerial powers 6(1) The relevant Minister may (

a) give directions governing the conduct of a general election, first election, by-election or vote on a bylaw or question if the relevant Minister considers the provisions of this Act insufficient, and

RSA 2000

Section 6.1

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 14 (

b) require the elected authority to conduct a vote of the electors on any question specified by the relevant Minister at the same time as a general election is held or any question respecting any matter over which the elected authority has jurisdiction.

(2) The relevant Minister may decide any questions arising from the difficulty or impossibility of applying this Act and in so deciding the relevant Minister may by order alter dates or periods prescribed by this Act for the doing of any matter or thing and may give other directions.

(2.1) A decision, order or direction under subsection (2) may (

a) be made or given after a prescribed date or period has passed, (

b) alter a date or period to a date or period that is earlier than the prescribed date or period, or (

c) be made in respect of a date or period that is earlier than the date of the decision, order or direction.

(3) If there are wards in an area, the provisions of this Act respecting a general election apply unless specifically varied in this Act, and if the bylaw, resolution or order establishing wards does not provide for any matter, the relevant Minister may by order give direction as to that or any other matter or thing requisite to the proper conduct of an election.

(4) The Regulations Act does not apply to a decision or order made or a direction given under this section. RSA 2000 cL-21 s6;2024 c11 s1(4) Ministerial powers re emergencies 6.1 Subject to the regulations, the Minister, by order and in accordance with the regulations, if any, may extend or adjourn voting or take any other action the Minister considers appropriate if in the Minister’s opinion an emergency, a disaster or an unusual or unforeseen circumstance (

a) is likely to have a signific ant effect on the conduct of an election or the ability of electors to attend at a voting station in one or more local jurisdictions, (

b) puts or may put the health or safety of persons in a local jurisdiction at risk, or (

c) may have other impacts prescribed by the regulations. 2024 c11 s1(5)

RSA 2000

Section 7

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 15 Voting on bylaw or question 7 If this or any other Act provides for the submission of a bylaw or question to the electors for their assent or approval, the bylaw or question shall be submitted to a vote in accordance with this Act. 1983 cL-27.5 s6;1994 cM-26.1 s642(42) First elections 8(1) In a newly formed local jurisdiction, (

a) nominations, and (

b) the first election, if an election is required, shall be held on the dates fixed by the relevant Minister and the persons elected hold office from the beginning of the first organizational meeting of the elected authority to immediately before the beginning of the organizational meeting of the elected authority after the next general election.

(2) The relevant Minister shall provide for the conduct of a first election.

(2.1) Parts 5.1 and 8 apply, with necessary modifications as determined by the relevant Minister, to a first election.

(3) Notwithstanding any other Act, if

an Act or an order under

an Act is passed to create a new municipality or a new school division as defined in the Education Act, the first election for the municipality or school division may be held on a date prior to the date on which the Act or order comes into force.

(4) A person elected at an election referred to in subsection (3) shall not be sworn into office before the effective date of the formation of the municipality or school division, as the case may be. RSA 2000 cL-21 s8;2012 cE-0.3 s276;2018 c23 s5 Term of office 9(1) A person elected under this Act, unless otherwise disqualified from remaining in office, holds office from the beginning of the organizational meeting of the elected authority following the general election to immediately before the beginning of the organizational meeting of the elected authority after the next general election.

(2) A person elected to an elected authority to fill a vacancy caused other than by the passage of time holds office from when the person takes the oath of office for the remainder of the period

RSA 2000

Section 10

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 16 the person’s predecessor would have held office had that predecessor continued in office. 1983 cL-27.5 s8;1994 cM-26.1 s642(42) General term of office 10(1) Commencing with the year 2013, (

a) the members of an elected authority elected at a general election hold office for a term of 4 years, and (

b) a general election shall be held every 4th year.

(2) If a declaration is made under

section 34(1) with respect to every office of the elected authority, those declared elected may hold an organizational meeting before the date of the general election.

(3) Despite subsection (1), an organizational meeting held pursuant to subsection (2) terminates the term of office of the members of the elected authority elected at the previous general election. RSA 2000 cL-21 s10;2003 c27 s3;2006 c22 s6;2012 c5 s105 Election day 11(1) Election day for a local jurisdiction (

a) in the case of a general election, if required, is to be the 3rd Monday in October, or (

b) in the case of a by-election or vote on a bylaw or question, shall be the day fixed by a resolution of the elected authority.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1)(a), an elected authority may, by a bylaw passed prior to June 30 of a year in which a general election is to be held, provide that the election day in the local jurisdiction is to be the Saturday immediately preceding the 3rd Monday in October.

(3) In a year where either, or both, of the following occur in conjunction with a general election, a bylaw referred to in subsection (2) is of no force and effect for the purpose of that general election and election day for that general election shall be the day referred to in subsection (1)(a): (

a) a Senate election under the Alberta Senate Election Act; (

b) a referendum vote under the Referendum Act. RSA 2000 cL-21 s11;2020 c38 s2

RSA 2000

Section 12

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 17 Summer villages 12 The provisions of this Act that apply to municipalities apply to summer villages except that in respect of a summer village (

a) election day (

i) in the case of a general election for council, shall be 4 weeks after the day established by council for the receipt of nominations for that election, and (ii) in the case of a by-election or vote on a bylaw or question, shall be as established by resolution of the summer village council, (

b) a person is entitled to vote at an election if (

i) the person is eligible to vote under

section 47, (ii) the person is 18, a Canadian citizen and is named on a certificate of title as the person who owns property within the summer village, or (iii) the person is 18, a Canadian citizen and is the spouse or adult interdependent partner of a person referred to in subclause (ii), (

c) the nomination of candidates for election as councillors shall be in the form prescribed for use under

section 27(1) and shall be signed by at least 5 electors eligible to vote at that election, (

d) in the case of a general election, nominations for councillors shall be received by the returning officer in June or July or both June and July in the year in which an election is to be held at a date and place and between the hours established by council, and sections 25 and 28(1), (1.1) and (1.2) do not apply, (

e) in the case of a by-election, nominations for councillors, if any, shall be received by the returning officer between the hours of 10 a.m. and 12 noon at a date and place established by council, (

f) voting hours in an election or in a vote on a bylaw or question shall be between the hours of 10 a.m. and 7 p.m., and

section 46 applies except as to hours, (

g) the time limit for withdrawal of nominations shall be 48 hours and

section 32 applies except as to hours, and

RSA 2000

Section 13

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 18 (

h) in order to qualify for nomination as a councillor, a person is not required to be a resident of the summer village but must be entitled to vote in the election and have been a resident of Alberta for the 12 consecutive months immediately preceding election day.

RSA 2000 cL-21 s12;2002 cA-4.5 s52;2003 c27 s4;2006 c22 s7; 2018 c23 s6;2020 c22 s3;2024 c11 s1(6) Appointment of returning officer and substitute returning officer 13(1) An elected authority may, by resolution, appoint a returning officer for the purposes of conducting elections under this Act by June 30 of the year in which the election occurs or, for a by-election or vote on a question or bylaw, in the resolution or bylaw that fixes the day for the by-election or vote on a question or bylaw.

(2) If the elected authority does not appoint a returning officer, the secretary is deemed to have been appointed as the returning officer.

(2.1) An elected authority must, by resolution, appoint a substitute returning officer by June 30 of the year in which the election occurs or, for a by-election or vote on a question or bylaw, in the resolution or bylaw that fixes the day for the by-election or vote on a question or bylaw.

(3) The following persons shall not be appointed as a returning officer or substitute returning officer for a local jurisdiction: (

a) a candidate for the elected authority for that local jurisdiction; (

b) in respect of a candidate fo r the elected authority for that local jurisdiction, the candidate’s spouse, adult interdependent partner, child, parent or sibling.

(4) If, through illness, absence or other incapacity, the returning officer is incapable of performing the duties of returning officer, the substitute returning officer has and may exercise all the duties, functions and powers of a returning officer for the purposes of conducting elections under this Act. RSA 2000 cL-21 s13;2018 c23 s7;2020 c22 s4;2024 c11 s1(7) Impartiality 13.1(1) A returning officer must be independent and impartial when performing the duties of a returning officer.

RSA 2000

Section 14

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 19

(2) No local jurisdiction, its officers or any other person shall obstruct or attempt to influence the returning officer in the carrying out of the duties of a returning officer. 2006 c22 s8 Duties of returning officer 14(1) In addition to performing the duties specified in this or any other Act, a returning officer shall (

a) appoint a presiding deputy, deputies, constables and other persons as required; (

b) establish voting stations; (

c) designate at least 2 deputies to work at each voting station, one of whom shall be designated as the presiding deputy, who is to be in charge of the voting station; (

d) provide for the supply and delivery of ballots, ballot boxes, instructions to electors and other necessary supplies to all voting stations; (

e) give notice of nominations; (

f) receive and process nominations; (

g) declare acclamations; (

h) give notice of elections; (

i) do all things necessary for the conduct of an election.

(2) A returning officer has all the duties and powers of a presiding deputy and deputy.

(3) A returning officer may delegate any of the returning officer’s powers and duties to a constable, presiding deputy or deputy and may impose conditions and restrictions on the delegation. RSA 2000 cL-21 s14;2006 c22 s9;2018 c23 s8 Presiding deputy 14.1 A presiding deputy shall carry out the duties of a presiding deputy under this Act and any other duties that a returning officer assigns to the presiding deputy. 2006 c22 s10 Constable 15(1) The presiding deputy at a voting station is charged with maintaining the peace at the voting station and with the approval of the returning officer, may appoint a constable to maintain order at

RSA 2000

Section 16

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 20 the voting station, and may summon to the deputy’s assistance in a voting station a police officer or any other person for the purpose of maintaining order, preserving the public peace, preventing any breach of the public peace, or removing any person who, in the opinion of the deputy presiding at the voting station, is obstructing the voting or contravening this Act.

(2) When requested to do so under subsection (1), a police officer shall forthwith attend on and assist the deputy making the request in the exercise of the deputy’s powers under that subsection. 1983 cL-27.5 s15;1991 c23 s2(6) Oath, statement 16(1) Every returning officer before performing the duties of that office must take and subscribe to the official oath in the prescribed form.

(2) Every deputy, scrutineer and constable before performing the duties of that office must subscribe to a statement in the prescribed form. RSA 2000 cL-21 s16;2003 c27 s5;2006 c22 s11;2012 c5 s106; 2024 c11 s1(8) 17 Repealed 2018 c23 s9. Substitute deputy or constable 18 If a person who has been appointed a deputy or constable becomes incapable of carrying out the duties of that office, the returning officer or a deputy returning officer may, in writing, appoint another person to act in the place of that person. RSA 2000 cL-21 s18;2003 c27 s6 Secretary’s duties 19(1) The secretary shall for the purposes of this Act, (

a) on the request of the returning officer, provide the returning officer with information and assistance, and (

b) on the vote results being d eclared by the returning officer, take custody of election materials and provide for their destruction in accordance with this Act.

(2) The secretary may delegate any powers and duties of the secretary under this Act to the returning officer. RSA 2000 cL-21 s19;2003 c27 s7

RSA 2000

Section 20

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 21 Administration of oaths 20 The returning officer, a presiding deputy or a commissioner for oaths is authorized to administer an oath to a person making an oath that is authorized or required by this Act. RSA 2000 cL-21 s20;2003 c27 s8;2006 c22 s12 Qualification of candidates 21(0.1) In this section, “city” means a municipality whose formation order specifies that municipality to be a city or whose status is changed to a city after its formation.

(1) A person may be nominated as a candidate in any election under this Act if on nomination day the person (

a) is eligible to vote in that election, (

b) has been a resident of the local jurisdiction and the ward, if any, for the 6 consecutive months immediately preceding nomination day, and (

c) is not otherwise ineligible or disqualified.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), in the case of a city, a candidate for councillor is not required to be a resident of the ward in either a general election or a by-election, but must be a resident of the city.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a candidate for trustee of a school division that is wholly or partly within the boundaries of a city is not required to be a resident of the ward in either a general election or a by-election, but must be a resident of the school division.

(4) If the boundaries of a local jurisdiction are altered by the addition of land, a person who has been a resident of the added land for at least the 6 months immediately preceding nomination day is deemed, for the purposes of this section, to have been a resident, during that time, of the local jurisdiction to which the land was added. RSA 2000 cL-21 s21;2012 cE-0.3 s276;2018 c23 s10;2024 c11 s1(9); 2025 c13 s1(3) Criminal record check 21.1 An elected authority, by a bylaw passed prior to December 31 of the year before a year in which a general election is to be held, may require a person seeking to be nominated as a candidate to provide a criminal record check. 2024 c11 s1(10)

RSA 2000

Section 22

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 22 Ineligibility 22(1) A person is not eligible to be nominated as a candidate in any election under this Act if on nomination day (

a) the person is the auditor of the local jurisdiction for which the election is to be held; (

b) subject to subsection (4), the person is an employee of the local jurisdiction for which the election is to be held unless the person takes a leave of absence under this section; (

c) the person is indebted to the municipality of which the person is an elector for taxes in default exceeding $50, excluding from that amount (

i) any indebtedness for current taxes, and (ii) 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; (

d) the person 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; (d.1) the person has, within the previous 10 years, been convicted of an offence under this Act, the Election Act, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act or the Canada Elections Act (Canada). (e),(

f) repealed 2006 c22 s13.

(1.1) A person is not eligible to be nominated as a candidate for election as a trustee if on nomination day the person is employed by (

a) a school division, (

b) a charter school, or (

c) an independent school, in Alberta unless the person takes a leave of absence under this section.

(1.11) A person is not eligible to be nominated as a candidate for election as a councillor or as a trustee if on nomination day the person is employed by the Office of the Ombudsman unless the person takes a leave of absence under this section.

RSA 2000

Section 22

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 23

(1.2) A person is not eligible to be nominated as a candidate for election as a councillor or a trustee if (

a) a report was presented or transmitted under

section 147.8(1) in respect of the person, (

b) the Court did not dispense with, or extend the time for, compliance with

section 147.4 by an order under

section 147.8(3), and (

c) subject to subsection (1)(d.1), nomination day for the election occurs within (

i) the 8-year period following the day on which the secretary presented the report to council or transmitted the report to the school board, or (ii) where the disclosure statement required by

section 147.4 has been filed with the secretary, the 3-year period following the day of filing, whichever period expires first. (1.3) Subsection (1.2) applies (

a) with respect to a candidate for election as a councillor, if a report has been presented or transmitted under

section 147.8(1)(

a) respecting a campaign period beginning on or after January 1, 2014, and (

b) with respect to a candidate for election as a trustee, if a report has been transmitted under

section 147.8(1)(

b) respecting a campaign period beginning on or after January 1, 2019.

(1.4) A person is not eligible to be nominated as a candidate for election as a councillor or as a trustee if, on or after the time the person gives written notice or was required to give written notice under

section 147.22, the person uses or expends a contribution in contravention of

section 147.23.

(2) Repealed 2006 c22 s13. (3) Subsection (1)(

b) to (

d) do not apply to a candidate for election as a trustee. (4) Subsection (1)(

b) does not apply to a person by reason only (a) - (

f) repealed 2018 c23 s11;

RSA 2000

Section 22

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 24 (

g) that the person is appointed to a position under the Emergency Management Act; (

h) repealed 2018 c23 s11; (

i) that the person has receive d a gratuity or allowance for services on a committee or board appointed by or responsible to the local jurisdiction; (j) - (

l) repealed 2018 c23 s11; (

m) that the person is a volunteer chief, officer or member of a fire, ambulance or emergency measures organization established by a local jurisdiction or that the person is a volunteer for another purpose who performs duties under the direction of the local jurisdiction.

(5) A person who is an employee of a municipality and who wishes to be nominated as a candidate in an election to be held for that municipality may notify that person’s employer on or after January 1 in the year of a general election or on or after the day the council passes a resolution to hold a by-election but before the person’s last working day prior to nomination day that the person is taking a leave of absence without pay under this section.

(5.1) A person employed by an entity referred to in subsection (1.1) who wishes to be nominated as a candidate for election as a trustee may notify that person’s employer on or after January 1 in the year of an election but before the person’s last working day prior to nomination day that the person is taking a leave of absence without pay under this section.

(5.2) A person employed by the Office of the Ombudsman who wishes to be nominated as a candidate for election as a councillor or as a trustee may notify that person’s employer on or after January 1 in the year of an election but before the person’s last working day prior to nomination day that the person is taking a leave of absence without pay under this section.

(6) Notwithstanding any bylaw, resolution or agreement of a local jurisdiction, every person who notifies an employer in accordance with subsection (5), (5.1) or (5.2) is entitled to a leave of absence without pay.

(6.1) Repealed 2012 c5 s107.

(7) An employee who takes a leave of absence under this

section is subject to the same conditions that apply to taking a leave of absence without pay for any other purpose.

RSA 2000

Section 23

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 25

(8) If an employee who takes a leave of absence under this

section is not elected, the employee may return to work, in the position the employee had before the leave commenced, on the 5th day after election day or, if the 5th day is not a working day, on the first working day after the 5th day.

(9) If an employee who takes a leave of absence under this

section is declared elected, the employee is deemed to have resigned that position as an employee the day the employee takes the official oath of office as an elected official.

(10) If an employee who takes a leave of absence under this

section is declared elected but, after a recount under

Part 4, is declared not to be elected, the employee may return to work on the first working day after the declaration is made, and subsections (7) and (8) apply.

(11) Subject to subsection (12), an employee who takes a leave of absence under this

section and is declared elected continues to be deemed to have resigned that position as an employee if the employee subsequently forfeits the elected office or if the employee’s election is adjudged invalid.

(12) If, through no act or omission of the employee, an employee forfeits the elected office or the employee’s election is adjudged invalid, the employee may return to work on the first working day after the office is forfeited or the election is adjudged invalid, and subsections (7) and (8) apply. RSA 2000 cL-21 s22;2001 cC-28.1 s458;2001 c23 s1(11); 2002 cA-4.5 s52;2002 c23 s1;2006 c22 s13;2007 c12 s12; 2009 c53 s104;2010 c9 s1;2012 cE-0.3 s276;2012 c5 s107; 2018 c23 s11;2024 c11 s1(11);2025 c6 s37;2025 c13 s1(4); Ineligibility for nomination 23(1) A person is not eligible to be nominated for more than one office of the same elected authority.

(2) A member who holds office on an elected authority is not eligible to be nominated for or elected to the same or any other office on the elected authority (

a) unless the member’s term of office is expiring, or (

b) if the member’s term of office is not expiring, unless the member has resigned that office effective 18 days or more before nomination day. 1983 cL-27.5 s23

RSA 2000

Section 23.1

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 26 Disqualification of candidate 23.1 A candidate is disqualified and becomes ineligible to continue as a candidate in an election under this Act if, on or after the day the candidate’s nomination has been accepted under

section 28(5) and on or before election day, the candidate (

a) is convicted of an offence (

i) punishable by imprisonment for 5 or more years, or (ii) under

section 123, 124 or 125 of the Criminal Code (Canada), or (

b) uses or expends a contribution in contravention of

section 147.23. 2024 c11 s1(12) Re-election 24(1) A person who held office on a school board and (

a) who resigned that office to avoid making restitution for money the person received that disqualified the person from holding that office pursuant to this or any other Act and has been ordered by a judge to make restitution, or (

b) who was declared by a judge to be disqualified to hold that office pursuant to this or any other Act, is not eligible to become a member of that school board until after 2 general elections have occurred after the date on which the person was ordered to make restitution or was declared to be disqualified.

(2) Notwithstanding that a by-election or general election has been held between the time when the disqualification of the member or former member arose and the time when the order or declaration has been made by the judge, subsection (1) applies and, if the person was re-elected, the person is not eligible to remain a member of the school board.

(3) Notwithstanding subsections (1) and (2), a judge (

a) who has made an order described in subsection (1)(a), or (

b) who has declared a person to be disqualified may reduce the period of disqualification.

RSA 2000

Section 25

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 27

(4) An appeal against the decision of a judge under this

section lies to the Court of Appeal. RSA 2000 cL-21 s24;2012 cE-0.3 s276;2025 c13 s1(5) Nomination day 25(1) Nomination day is 4 weeks before election day.

(2) A person may file a nomination to become a candidate (

a) for a general election, within the period beginning on January 1 in a year in which a general election is to be held and ending at 12 noon on nomination day, and (

b) for a by-election, within the period beginning on the day after the resolution or bylaw is passed to set election day for the by-election and ending at 12 noon on nomination day. RSA 2000 cL-21 s25;2018 c23 s12;2020 c22 s5 Notice of nomination day 26(1) The returning officer shall give notice of nomination day in the prescribed form by publishing a notice at least once a week in each of the 2 weeks before nomination day in a newspaper or other publication circulating in the area, or by mailing or delivering a notice to every residence in the local jurisdiction at least one week before nomination day.

(2) On complying with subsection (1), the returning officer may publish, mail and deliver additional notices and give notice by any other method as many times as the returning officer considers appropriate. RSA 2000 cL-21 s26;2003 c27 s9 Form of nomination 27(1) Every nomination of a candidate must (

a) be in the prescribed form, (

b) be signed by at least 5 pers ons who are electors eligible to vote in that election and resident in the local jurisdiction on the date of signing the nomination, (

c) be accompanied with a written acceptance sworn or affirmed in the prescribed form by the person nominated, stating (

i) that the person is eligible to be elected to the office, (ii) the name, address and telephone number of the person’s official agent, if one has been appointed,

RSA 2000

Section 27

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 28 (iii) that the person w ill accept the office if elected, (iv) that the person will read and comply with the municipality’s code of conduct if elected, and (

v) that the persons who have signed the nomination are electors who are eligible to vote in that election and resident in the local jurisdiction on the date of signing the nomination, (

d) if required by bylaw, be accompanied with a deposit in the required amount, and (

e) if required by bylaw, be accompanied with a criminal record check.

(1.1) A person who files a nomination shall also submit, in the prescribed form and on the same day a nomination is submitted under

section 28(1), the following information to the returning officer: (

a) the full name and contact information of the candidate; (

b) the address of the place or places where records of the candidate are maintained and of the place to which communications may be addressed; (

c) the name and address of the financial institutions to be used by or on behalf of the candidate for the candidate’s campaign account, if applicable; (

d) the names of the signing authorities for each account referred to in clause (c), if applicable.

(1.2) When there is any change in the information required to be provided under subsection (1.1), the candidate shall notify the local jurisdiction in writing within 48 hours after the change, and on receipt of the notice the local jurisdiction shall update the information accordingly.

(1.3) Notice under subsection (1.2) may be sent by fax or e-mail.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), a municipality that is a local jurisdiction with a population of at least 10 000 or a school board of a local jurisdiction with a population of at least 10 000 may, by a bylaw passed prior to December 31 of the year before a year in which a general election is to be held, specify the minimum number of electors required to sign the nomination of a candidate for an office, but that number must be at least 5 and not more than 100.

RSA 2000

Section 28

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 29

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), if a system of wards is in effect, only an elector who is a resident of the ward for which a candidate for election is being nominated may sign the nomination of the candidate.

(4) Repealed 2018 c23 s13. RSA 2000 cL-21 s27;2003 c27 s10;2006 c22 s14;2012 cE-0.3 s276; 2017 c13 s4;2018 c23 s13;2020 c22 s6;2024 c11 s1(13); 2025 c13 s1(6) Nominations 28(1) Subject to subsection (1.2), nominations shall be submitted at the local jurisdiction office at any time during the nomination period.

(1.1) An elected authority may, by a bylaw passed prior to December 31 of the year before a year in which a general election is to be held, provide that a returning officer may establish one or more locations, in addition to the local jurisdiction office, where a deputy may receive nominations.

(1.2) If an elected authority passes a bylaw referred to in subsection (1.1), nominations shall be submitted to the local jurisdiction office or any location established by the returning officer at any time during the nomination period.

(2) The person nominated as a candidate is responsible for ensuring that the nomination filed under this

section meets the requirements of

section 27.

(3) Any person may file a nomination described in

section 27 in accordance with this section.

(4) A returning officer shall not accept the following for filing: (

a) a nomination that is not completed in the prescribed form; (

b) a nomination that is not signed by at least the minimum number of persons required to sign the nomination; (

c) a nomination that is not sworn or affirmed by the person nominated; (c.1) if a bylaw has been passed under

section 21.1, a nomination that is not accompanied with the criminal record check required by the bylaw; (

d) if a bylaw has been passed under

section 29(1), a nomination that is not accompanied by the deposit required by the bylaw.

RSA 2000

Section 28

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 30

(5) If the returning officer has not rejected a nomination form under subsection (4), the returning officer must sign the form to indicate that the form has been accepted.

(6) At any time after the commencement of the nomination period until the term of office to which the filed nomination papers relate has expired, a person may request to examine the filed nomination papers during regular business hours and in the presence of the returning officer, deputy or secretary.

(6.1) A filed nomination paper referred to in subsection (6) must be made available in a partial or redacted form as necessary to ensure that the following is not disclosed: (

a) the mailing address of the candidate and of the candidate’s official agent; (

b) any personal information that in the opinion of the returning officer, deputy or secretary would compromise the personal safety of the candidate.

(6.2) If a criminal record check accompanies a candidate’s nomination papers, the results of the criminal record check must not be withheld or redacted under subsection (6.1) except to ensure that the mailing address of the candidate and of the candidate’s official agent is not disclosed.

(7) The returning officer or secretary must retain all the filed nomination papers until the term of office to which the papers relate has expired.

(8) Twenty-four hours after the close of nominations on nomination day, the returning officer shall, as soon as practicable, forward a signed statement showing the name of each nominated candidate and any information about the candidate that the candidate has consented to being disclosed to the relevant Minister’s Deputy Minister.

(9) A statement referred to in subsection (8) may be forwarded by electronic means, including by fax or e-mail.

(10) Within 48 hours of the close of nominations on nomination day, the returning officer shall post or cause to be posted at the local jurisdiction office the names of all candidates that have been nominated and the offices for which they were nominated. RSA 2000 cL-21 s28;2003 c27 s11;2006 c22 s15;2012 c5 s108; 2018 c23 s14;2020 c22 s7;2024 c11 s1(14)

RSA 2000

Section 28.1

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 31 Material to be provided to candidate 28.1 The returning officer, on receiving a nomination paper, must, if requested by the candidate, provide to the candidate a sufficient number of copies of the prescribed form for the identification of an official agent, campaign workers and scrutineers for the purposes of identification under

section 52. 2006 c22 s16 Deposit 29(1) An elected authority may, by a bylaw passed prior to December 31 of the year before a year in which a general election is to be held, require that every nomination be accompanied with a deposit in the amount fixed in the bylaw.

(2) An amount fixed in a bylaw under subsection (1) may not exceed (a) $1000, in the case of a local jurisdiction with a population of more than 10 000, or (b) $100, in any other case. RSA 2000 cL-21 s29;2006 c22 s17;2024 c11 s1(15) Disposition of deposit 30(1) When a bylaw has been passed to provide for a deposit, the returning officer shall require the deposit to be paid in cash, by certified cheque, by money order, by e-transfer or by debit card or credit card.

(2) The candidate’s deposit shall be returned to the candidate (

a) if the candidate is declared elected, (

b) if the candidate obtains a number of votes at least equal to 1/2 of the total number of votes cast for the candidate elected to the office with the least number of votes, or (

c) if the candidate withdraws as a candidate in accordance with

section 32.

(3) If a candidate dies before the closing of the voting stations on election day, the sum deposited by the candidate shall be returned to the candidate’s estate.

(4) If a candidate does not obtain the number of votes described in subsection (2)(b), the deposit shall be paid into the general revenue of the local jurisdiction for which the deposit requirement has been established. RSA 2000 cL-21 s30;2003 c27 s12;2024 c11 s1(16)

RSA 2000

Section 31

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 32 Insufficient nominations 31(1) If the number of persons nominated for any office is less than the number required to be elected, the time for receipt of nominations (

a) shall stand adjourned to the ne xt day at the same place at the hour of 10 a.m. and shall remain open until 12 noon for the purpose of receiving further nominations for the office, and (

b) shall continue to remain open and be adjourned in the same manner from day to day until a period of 6 days, including nomination day but not including Saturday, Sunday and holidays, as defined in the

Interpretation Act, has elapsed.

(2) Repealed 2018 c23 s15.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (1)(b), in the case of a summer village the period of 6 days includes Saturday and Sunday.

(4) If sufficient nominations to fill all vacancies are not received, the secretary shall immediately notify the relevant Minister, who may recommend to the Lieutenant Governor in Council a change in the status of the local jurisdiction or take any other action the relevant Minister considers necessary.

RSA 2000 cL-21 s31;2018 c23 s15;2024 c11 s1(17) Withdrawal of nomination 32 An individual nominated as a candidate may, at any time during the nomination period or within 24 hours after the close of the nomination period, withdraw as a candidate for the office for which the candidate was nominated by filing a withdrawal in writing with the returning officer.

RSA 2000 cL-21 s32;2020 c22 s8;2024 c11 s1(18);2025 c13 s1(7) Death of candidate 33(1) An elected authority may, by a bylaw passed prior to nomination day, provide that if prior to the opening of the voting stations on election day a candidate for an elected authority dies after being nominated, (

a) the election for the position for which the deceased candidate was nominated shall be discontinued, and (

b) the elected authority shall as soon as practicable provide for the holding of a new election for that office.

(2) If a candidate dies after being nominated and a bylaw has not been passed under subsection (1), the returning officer shall cause a

RSA 2000

Section 34

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 33 notice of the death to be posted at a conspicuous location in all the relevant voting stations. 1983 cL-27.5 s33;1991 c23 s2(14) Election by acclamation 34(1) If, 24 hours after the close of nominations, the number of candidates for an office is equal to the number of offices for which the election is held, the returning officer shall declare each of the candidates to be elected to the office for which they were nominated.

(2) Forthwith after having declared a person elected, the returning officer shall give to the secretary and the relevant Minister’s Deputy Minister written notification signed by the returning officer of the names of the persons so elected and of the offices to which they were elected and the returning officer shall deliver the nomination papers and other material relating to the receipt of nominations to the secretary.

(2.1) Repealed 2006 c22 s18.

(3) At any time after 12 noon on nomination day until the term of office to which the filed nomination papers relate has expired, a person may request to examine the filed nomination papers during regular business hours and in the presence of the returning officer, deputy or secretary.

(4) The returning officer or secretary must retain all the filed nomination papers until the term of office to which the nomination papers relate has expired. RSA 2000 cL-21 s34;2003 c27 s13;2006 c22 s18;2025 c13 s1(8) Notice of election 35(1) If more than the required number of persons for any office remain nominated 24 hours after the close of nominations, the returning officer shall declare that an election shall be held for filling that office.

(2) Subject to subsection (2.1), if an election is required, the returning officer shall give notice of it in the prescribed form by publishing a notice at least once a week in each of the 2 weeks before election day in a newspaper or other publication circulating in the area, or by mailing or delivering a notice to every residence in the local jurisdiction at least one week before election day.

(2.1) If an election does not apply to an entire local jurisdiction, a notice published, mailed or delivered under subsection (2) is only required to be published, mailed or delivered in a ward or voting

RSA 2000

Section 36

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 34 subdivision within that local jurisdiction where an election is required.

(3) The notice of a vote on a bylaw or question shall set out the text or a reasonably complete

summary of the bylaw or question.

(4) On complying with subsection (2), the returning officer may publish, mail and deliver additional notices and give notice by any other method as many times as the returning officer considers appropriate. RSA 2000 cL-21 s35;2003 c27 s14;2018 c23 s16

Part 2 Voting Procedure Voting subdivisions 36(1) The elected authority by resolution, or the returning officer if authorized by resolution of the elected authority, may divide the local jurisdiction into voting subdivisions and may from time to time alter their boundaries but may not alter them between the time of the giving of notice of an election and the election day.

(2) If voting subdivisions are not established under subsection (1), (

a) the area, or (

b) the ward, if there are wards, is considered to be one voting subdivision. 1983 cL-27.5 s36;1985 c38 s9 Voting stations 37(1) The returning officer shall designate the location of one voting station only for each voting subdivision and the location may be outside the area.

(2) When a voting station designated by the returning officer is not available, the returning officer shall designate another place in the vicinity and shall, by notice posted at the original voting station, direct the electors to the other voting station.

(3) The elected authority may pass a bylaw by June 30 of a year in which a general election is to be held allowing the returning officer of the elected authority to designate (

a) more than one voting sta tion for each subdivision, and (

b) the location of those voting stations. RSA 2000 cL-21 s37;2018 c23 s17;2024 c11 s1(19)

RSA 2000

Section 38

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 35 Compartments for voting 38(1) The returning officer shall ensure that each voting station is furnished with one or more voting compartments arranged so that an elector is screened from observation and may mark the elector’s ballot without interference or interruption.

(2) In each voting compartment there shall be provided for the use of the electors in the marking of ballots a table, desk or shelf with a hard surface and a suitable marking instrument that shall be kept operational during the hours of voting. 1983 cL-27.5 s38;1997 c15 s11 Ballot boxes 39(1) The secretary shall provide sufficient ballot boxes to the returning officer.

(2) A ballot box must be made of durable material and so constructed that ballots can be deposited into the ballot box and cannot be removed from it unless the seal is broken and the ballot box opened. RSA 2000 cL-21 s39;2018 c23 s18 Sealing the ballot box 40(1) The presiding deputy at a voting station shall, immediately after the opening of the voting station, show each ballot box to the persons present at the voting station so that they can see that it is empty, close and seal the box so that it cannot be opened without breaking the seal and place the box in the presiding deputy’s view for the receipt of ballots.

(2) The presiding deputy at the voting station shall keep each ballot box closed and sealed and in full view of all present during the hours of voting. (3) Subsections (1) and (2) apply to additional ballot boxes that are required at the voting station after the voting station has been opened. RSA 2000 cL-21 s40;2006 c22 s19 Printing of ballots 41 If an election is required, the returning officer shall forthwith cause a sufficient number of ballots to be printed at the expense of the local jurisdiction. 1983 cL-27.5 s41 Names on ballot 42(1) A separate ballot shall be used for (

a) the office of chief elected official;

RSA 2000

Section 43

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 36 (

b) the offices of councillors; (

c) the offices of trustees.

(2) The names of the candidates for (

a) the office of chief elected official; (

b) the offices of councillors; (

c) the offices of trustees; must be placed on the ballot in the prescribed form.

(3) Every ballot used in an election for a member of an elected authority shall contain a brief explanatory note stating the maximum number of candidates who can be voted for in order not to make the ballot subject to being rejected.

(4) Every ballot used in an election for chief elected official shall contain a brief explanatory note stating that the ballot shall not be marked for more than one candidate. RSA 2000 cL-21 s42;2006 c22 s20;2024 c11 s1(20) Contents of ballot 43(1) Each ballot shall contain the name of each candidate.

(2) The names of the candidates on each ballot shall be arranged alphabetically in order of the surnames and, if 2 or more candidates have the same surname, the names of those candidates shall be arranged alphabetically in the order of their given names.

(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), if an elected authority passes a bylaw 2 months before an election that provides that (

a) ballots shall be printed in as many lots as there are candidates for the office, (

b) in the first lot the names of the candidates shall appear in alphabetical order, (

c) in the 2nd lot the names shall appear in the same order, except that the first name in the first lot shall be placed last, (

d) in each succeeding lot, the orde r shall be the same as that of the preceding lot, except that the first name in the preceding lot shall be placed last, and (

e) tablets of ballots to be used at each voting station shall be made up by combining ballots from the different lots in

RSA 2000

Section 44

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 37 regular rotation so that no 2 consecutive electors may receive ballot papers from the same lot and so that each candidate’s name shall appear first and in each other position substantially the same number of times on the ballots used, then the ballots used in an election while the bylaw is in force shall be in the form described in this subsection. 1983 cL-27.5 s43;1991 c23 s2(17) Form of ballot 44(1) If there is to be a vote on a bylaw or question, the elected authority by resolution (

a) must determine the wording to be used on the ballot, and (

b) may determine the form of the ballot.

(2) If the elected authority does not determine the form of the ballot under subsection (1), the returning officer must do so. 1983 cL-27.5 s44;1997 c15 s12 Instructions for voters 45(1) Before the opening of the voting station, the presiding deputy at the voting station shall cause the printed instructions for the electors to be posted within each voting compartment and at a conspicuous location within the voting station and shall ensure that they remain posted there until the close of the voting station.

(2) The instructions shall be printed in clearly legible characters in the prescribed form.

(3) The local jurisdiction may authorize the presiding deputy to post the printed instructions in languages other than English at the voting stations as the local jurisdiction considers appropriate. RSA 2000 cL-21 s45;2006 c22 s21 Voting hours 46(1) Every voting station shall be kept open continuously on election day from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), an elected authority may, by a bylaw passed prior to June 30 of a year in which an election is to be held, provide that the voting station is to be open before 10 a.m.

(2.1) Despite subsection (1), an elected authority that is responsible for the conduct of an election under an agreement referred to in

section 2(2) or 3(1) may, by a bylaw passed before June 30 of a year in which an election is to be held, provide that

RSA 2000

Section 47

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 38 voting stations in an area that is subject to the agreement are to be open before 10 a.m.

(3) Promptly at 8 p.m. on election day, the deputy shall declare the voting station closed.

(4) If, when the voting station is declared closed, there is an elector in the voting station or in line to enter the voting station who wishes to vote, the elector shall be permitted to do so, but no other person shall be allowed to enter the voting station for that purpose. RSA 2000 cL-21 s46;2006 c22 s22;2024 c11 s1(21) Eligibility to vote 47(1) A person is eligible to vote in an election held pursuant to this Act if the person (

a) is at least 18 years old, (

b) is a Canadian citizen, and (

c) resides in Alberta and the person’s place of residence is located in the local jurisdiction on election day.

(2) Subject to subsection (3) and sections 75, 77.1, 79, 81 and 83, an elector is eligible to vote only at the voting station for the voting subdivision in which the elector’s place of residence is located on election day.

(3) If a local authority establishes a voting station at a work site, the local authority may direct that those workers who are electors who wish to vote and who are required to work at the site during the hours for which the voting station is open shall vote at that voting station, notwithstanding that those workers do not reside in the voting subdivision in which that voting station is located.

(4) Repealed 2018 c23 s19. RSA 2000 cL-21 s47;2003 c27 s15;2006 c22 s23;2018 c23 s19 Rules of residence 48(1) For the purposes of this Act, the place of residence is governed by the following rules: (

a) a person may be a resident of only one place at a time for the purposes of voting under this Act; (a.1) if a person has more than one residence in Alberta, that person shall, in accordance with subsection (1.1), designate one place of residence as the person’s place of residence for the purposes of this Act;

RSA 2000

Section 48

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 39 (

b) the residence of a person is the place where the person lives and sleeps and to which, when the person is absent, the person intends to return; (

c) a person does not lose the person’s residence by leaving the person’s home for a temporary purpose; (

d) subject to clause (e), a student who (

i) attends an educational institution within or outside Alberta, (ii) temporarily rents accommodation for the purpose of attending an educational institution, and (iii) has family members who are resident in Alberta and with whom the student ordinarily resides when not attending an educational institution is deemed to reside with those family members; (

e) if a person leaves the area with the intention of making the person’s residence elsewhere, the person loses the person’s residence within the area.

(1.1) For the purposes of subsection (1)(a.1), a person shall designate the person’s place of residence in accordance with the following factors in the following order of priority: (

a) the address shown on the pe rson’s driver’s licence or motor vehicle operator’s licence issued by or on behalf of the Government of Alberta or an identification card issued by or on behalf of the Government of Alberta; (

b) the address to which the person’s income tax correspondence is addressed and delivered; (

c) the address to which the person’s mail is addressed and delivered.

(2) A person who is a resident of a public school division or of a separate school division under the Education Act is deemed to be a resident of that public school division or that separate school division, as the case may be, under this Act.

(3) Repealed 2012 cE-0.3 s276. RSA 2000 cL-21 s48;2003 c27 s16;2010 c9 s1;2012 cE-0.3 s276

RSA 2000

Section 48.1

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 40 Residency and voting in Jasper 48.1(1) This

section applies to an election held in 2025 or 2026 in a local jurisdiction in the same area as the Municipality of Jasper.

(2) Notwithstanding anything in this Act, an individual is deemed to be a resident of the Municipality of Jasper for the purposes of sections 21, 27 and 47 to 49 if the individual makes a statement in accordance with subsection (3).

(3) For the purposes of this section, a statement must be in writing and signed by the individual and state that the individual (

a) was a resident of the Municipality of Jasper on July 22, 2024, (

b) continues to be displaced fr om the Municipality of Jasper as a result of the wildfire in 2024, and (

c) intends to resume residence in the Municipality of Jasper as soon as is reasonably practicable.

(4) A statement referred to in subsection (2) must be submitted with a nomination if (

a) an individual who is being nominated under

section 27 is relying on the statement to establish the individual’s qualifications in accordance with

section 21, and (

b) an individual who signs a nomination in accordance with

section 27(1)(

b) is relying on the statement to establish the individual’s residency in the Municipality of Jasper.

(5) Before opening a voting station in the Municipality of Jasper, the presiding deputy at the voting station must post a notice respecting the entitlement of electors to make a statement referred to in subsection (2) within each voting compartment and at a conspicuous location within the voting station, and the presiding deputy must ensure that the notice remains posted there until the voting station closes.

(6) Before issuing a ballot to an elector, a deputy must offer the elector an opportunity to make a statement referred to in subsection (2).

(7) Notwithstanding anything in this Act, if an elected authority has made a resolution under

section 77.1(2) and an application is made for a special ballot, the returning officer or deputy who receives the application must provide the applicant with the following:

RSA 2000

Section 49

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 41 (

a) the forms referred to in

section 77.1(3)(b); (

b) a form containing the statem ents referred to in subsection (3)(a), (

b) and (

c) for the elector to complete; (

c) sufficient instructional information on how to complete the form. 2025 c13 s1(9) Permanent electors register 49(1) Subject to this section, a municipality must prepare a permanent electors register of residents in the municipality who are eligible to vote that is compiled and revised primarily using information received from the Chief Electoral Officer.

(2) A municipality must enter into an agreement with the Chief Electoral Officer under the Election Act (

a) to receive from the Chief El ectoral Officer information that will assist the municipality in compiling or revising the permanent electors register, and (

b) to provide to the Chief El ectoral Officer information that will assist the Chief Electoral Officer in preparing or revising information for the purpose of compiling or revising the register of electors under the Election Act.

(3) A municipality may use any other information obtained by or available to the municipality to supplement the information received under subsection (1) in compiling and revising a permanent electors register.

(3.1) A municipality must enter in the permanent electors register any information referred to in subsection (5) that is collected under this Act during an election.

(3.2) A person may be added to the permanent electors register when the municipality has the information with respect to that person that is referred to in subsection (5)(a), (

b) and (e).

(3.3) Notwithstanding this section, a summer village may, but is not required to, prepare a permanent electors register and enter into an agreement with the Chief Electoral Officer for the purposes of this section.

(4) The permanent electors register may be compiled or revised manually or by means of any computer-based system and may be kept in printed form or may be stored in any computer-based system or any other information storage device that is capable of

RSA 2000

Section 49.1

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 42 reproducing any required information in legible printed form within a reasonable time.

(5) The permanent electors register may contain only the following information about persons ordinarily resident in the municipality who are electors or may be eligible to be electors: (

a) the residential address, including the postal code of the residence of the person, and the mailing address, including the postal code, if the mailing address is different from the residential address, (

b) the surname, given name and middle initial of the person, (

c) the residential telephone number of the person, (

d) the gender of the person, (

e) the day, month and year of birth of the person, and (

f) repealed 2018 c23 s20, (

g) whether the person is a public school resident or a separate school resident.

(6) The information referred to in subsection (5)(

d) and (

e) obtained under this Act may be used only to verify the identification of an elector when compiling or revising the permanent electors register.

(7) Persons are entitled to have access to information in the permanent electors register about themselves or about another person on whose behalf they are authorized to act, to determine whether the information is correct.

(7.1) Only a returning officer may use a permanent electors register and only as it relates to the exercise of a power or performance of a duty of a returning officer under this Act.

(8) For greater certainty, a candidate, official agent or scrutineer shall not access or use the permanent electors register, including, without limitation, taking a photograph or making a copy of the register. RSA 2000 cL-21 s49;2006 c22 s24;2018 c23 s20;2024 c11 s1(22); 2025 c13 s1(10) Providing permanent electors register to elected authority 49.1 A municipality that prepares a permanent electors register in accordance with

section 49 must, on request, provide a copy of the

RSA 2000

Section 52

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 43 permanent electors register to another elected authority in the same area. 2025 c13 s1(11) 50 and 51 Repealed 2024 c11 s1(23). Access for campaigners 52(1) A person to whom a candidate, an official agent or a campaign worker on behalf of a candidate has produced identification in the prescribed form indicating that the person is a candidate, an official agent or a campaign worker shall not (

a) obstruct or interfere with, or (

b) cause or permit the obstruction or interference with the free access of the candidate, official agent or campaign worker to each residence in a building containing 2 or more residences or to each residence in a mobile home park.

(2) Repealed 2024 c11 s1(24). RSA 2000 cL-21 s52;2003 c27 s18;2006 c22 s26;2018 c23 s21; 2024 c11 s1(24) Proof of elector eligibility 53(1) Every person who attends at a voting station for the purpose of voting must be permitted to vote if (

a) the person (

i) is named on the permanent electors register, and (ii) produces one piece of identification issued by a Canadian government, whether federal, provincial or local, or an agency of that government, that contains a photograph of the person, or (

b) the person (

i) makes a statement that the person is eligible to vote as an elector in the presence of an officer at the voting station, in the prescribed form, and (ii) validates the person’s identity and address of the person’s residence in accordance with subsection (3). (iii) repealed 2024 c11 s1(25).

RSA 2000

Section 53

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 44

(2) A statement referred to in subsection (1)(b)(

i) must include the address of the person’s residence.

(3) A person may validate the person’s identity and the address of the person’s residence for the purpose of subsection (1)(b)(ii) (

a) repealed 2024 c11 s1(25), (

b) by producing one of the following: (

i) one piece of identification issued by a Canadian government, whether federal, provincial or local, or an agency of that government, that contains a photograph of the person, the person’s name and the address of the person’s residence; (ii) one piece of identifica tion authorized by the Chief Electoral Officer under the Election Act for the purposes of

section 100(2)(

b) of that Act that establishes the person’s name and current address; (iii) one piece of other acceptable identification referred to in

section 53.02.

(3.1) The identification referred to in subsection (3)(b)(

i) includes a person’s driver’s licence or motor vehicle operator’s licence issued by or on behalf of the Government of Alberta or an identification card issued by or on behalf of the Government of Alberta that contains a photograph of the person and the person’s name and post office box number.

(4) Notwithstanding subsection (1)(b)(ii), a person may validate the address of the person’s residence if the person is accompanied by an elector who (

a) validates the elector’s identity and the address of the elector’s residence in accordance with subsection (3), and (

b) vouches for the person in accordance with subsection (7). (4.1) Subsection (4) does not apply to a person whose residence is in a summer village that has not prepared a permanent electors register in accordance with

section 49.

(5) A scrutineer shall not vouch for a person under subsection (4)(b).

(6) An elector shall not vouch for a person if any of the following circumstances apply:

RSA 2000

Section 53.011

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 45 (

a) the elector has relied on the process described in subsection (4) to validate the elector’s address; (

b) subject to subsection (6.1), the elector has already vouched for another person; (

c) the elector’s name is not contained in the permanent electors register.

(6.1) An elector may vouch for more than one person if every person the elector vouches for shares the same place of residence.

(7) For the purposes of subsection (4)(b), an elector who vouches for a person must make a statement, in the prescribed form, that (

a) the elector knows the person, (

b) the elector knows that the person resides at the address indicated in the person’s statement, and (

c) the elector has not relied on the process described in subsection (4) to validate the elector’s address.

(8) A person who attends at a voting station shall not be permitted to vote unless that person meets the requirements of this section. RSA 2000 cL-21 s53;2006 c22 s27;2012 c5 s109;2018 c23 s22; 2020 c22 s9;2021 c24 s7;2024 c11 s1(25);2025 c13 s1(12) 53.01 Repealed 2024 c11 s1(26). Bylaws with respect to proof of elector eligibility repealed 53.011 A bylaw or any portion of a bylaw passed by an elected authority prior to the coming into force of this

section that provides for the number and types of identification that are required to be produced by a person to verify or validate the person’s name, address or age and that was in effect immediately before the coming into force of this

section is repealed on the coming into force of this section. 2024 c11 s1(27) Other acceptable identification 53.02(1) The relevant Minister may, by order, (

a) establish other acceptable id entification for the purpose of

section 53(3)(b)(iii), and (

b) provide a process for establishing the address of a person’s residence if the person produces identification under

section 53(1)(

b) that uses a non-residential address.

RSA 2000

Section 53.03

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 46

(2) The Regulations Act does not apply to an order referred to in subsection (1). 2018 c23 s22;2024 c11 s1(28) Proof of elector eligibility in Jasper 53.03(1) This

section applies to an election held in 2025 or 2026 in a local jurisdiction in the same area as the Municipality of Jasper.

(2) Notwithstanding

section 53, a person who attends at a voting station in the Municipality of Jasper for the purpose of voting or submits an application for a special ballot under

section 77.1(1.1) is permitted to vote if the person (

a) makes a statement in acco rdance with

section 48.1, and (

b) produces one piece of identif ication issued by a Canadian government, whether federal, provincial or local, or an agency of that government, that contains a photograph of the individual. 2025 c13 s1(13) 53.1 and 54 Repealed 2024 c11 s1(29). Secrecy of vote 55(1) Voting shall be by secret ballot.

(2) While an elector is in a voting compartment for the purpose of marking the elector’s ballot, no other person may, except as permitted in

section 78, enter the voting compartment or be in a position from which the person can see how the elector marks the elector’s ballot.

(3) Except as provided in

section 78, it is an offence for an elector to show the elector’s ballot to any person so as to allow the elector’s vote to be known.

(4) Notwithstanding subsections (2) and (3), an elector may be accompanied in a voting compartment by a minor. RSA 2000 cL-21 s55;2003 c27 s20;2024 c11 s1(30) Maintenance of secrecy 56 No person shall be required to disclose in any legal proceedings whether the person has voted for a particular candidate or voted for or against a particular bylaw or question. 1983 cL-27.5 s56

RSA 2000

Section 57

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 47 Number of votes 57(1) Subject to subsection (2), an elector in an election may vote once for each of the persons the elector chooses to vote for.

(2) An elector may not vote for more than the number of persons to be elected to the office.

(3) In an election an elector may vote once on each bylaw or question. 1983 cL-27.5 s57;1997 c15 s17 Voting time for employees 58(1) An employee who is an elector shall, while the voting stations are open on election day, have 3 consecutive hours for the purpose of casting the employee’s vote.

(2) If the hours of the employee’s employment do not allow for 3 consecutive hours, the employee’s employer shall allow the employee any additional time for voting that is necessary to provide the employee the 3 consecutive hours, but the additional time for voting is to be granted at the convenience of the employer.

(3) No employer shall make any deduction from the pay of an employee nor impose on the employee or exact from the employee any penalty by reason of the employee’s absence from the employee’s work during the 3 consecutive hours or part of it. (4) Subsections (1), (2) and (3) do not apply if the employer provides for the attendance of an employee who is an elector at a voting station while it is open during the hours of the employee’s employment with no deduction from the employee’s pay and without exacting any penalty. 1983 cL-27.5 s58 Entries in elector register 59 The deputy shall record on the elector register that an elector has received a ballot for any one or more of the following that are applicable to the election: (

a) chief elected official; (

b) councillors; (

c) public school trustees; (

d) separate school trustees; (

e) bylaw or question. RSA 2000 cL-21 s59;2018 c23 s24;2024 c11 s1(31)

RSA 2000

Section 60

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 48 Initialling of ballot 60 When a deputy issues a ballot to an elector, it must be folded and initialled by the deputy so that the initials are visible without opening the ballot. 1983 cL-27.5 s60;1991 c23 s2(26) Explanation of manner of voting 61 A deputy may, and on request shall, explain to an elector as concisely as possible the proper method of voting in accordance with the instructions to electors. 1983 cL-27.5 s61;1991 c23 s2(27) Marking of ballots 62 On receiving the ballots that an elector is entitled to receive from a deputy, the elector shall forthwith proceed into the voting compartment provided and shall mark each of the elector’s ballots (

a) by placing an “X” on the right hand side opposite the name of the candidate of the elector’s choice, or within the division on the paper containing the name of the candidate of the elector’s choice, and (

b) in the case of a ballot for a bylaw or question, by placing an “X” within the division of the paper marked “for” or “against”, or within the division of the paper marked “yes” or “no”, whichever way the elector desires to vote. 1983 cL-27.5 s62;1991 c23 s2(28) Disposal of marked ballot 63(1) After marking a ballot, the elector shall fold the ballot so as (

a) to conceal the names of the candidates or the bylaw or question, and the marks on the face of the ballot, and (

b) to expose the initials of the deputy issuing the ballot at the voting station, and immediately after leaving the voting compartment shall, without delay and without showing the front to anyone, deliver the ballot so folded to the deputy who is supervising at the ballot box.

(2) The deputy supervising at the ballot box shall, without unfolding a ballot or in any way disclosing the marks made by the elector on the ballot, verify the initials on the ballot and deposit the ballot at once in the ballot box.

RSA 2000

Section 64

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 49

(2.1) Notwithstanding subsection (2), the deputy supervising at the ballot box may permit an elector to deposit the elector’s ballot into the ballot box.

(3) After the elector’s ballots are deposited in the ballot box, the elector shall forthwith leave the voting station. RSA 2000 cL-21 s63;2003 c27 s21 Person deemed to have voted 64 A person whose ballot is deposited in a ballot box is deemed to have voted. RSA 2000 cL-21 s64;2006 c22 s30 Replacement of spoiled ballot 65(1) An elector who has inadvertently dealt with the elector’s ballot in a manner that it cannot be conveniently used as a ballot may, (

a) on returning it to the deputy, and (

b) on establishing the fact of the inadvertence to the satisfaction of the deputy, receive another ballot in the place of the ballot so returned.

(2) The deputy shall immediately write the word “spoiled” on the returned ballot and shall preserve it. 1983 cL-27.5 s65 Elector declining to vote 66 If an elector returns a ballot and states that the elector is declining to vote, the elector is not entitled to another ballot for that office, and the deputy who is supervising at the ballot box shall deposit the declined ballot in the ballot box. 1983 cL-27.5 s66;1989 c17 s17;1991 c23 s2(30) Persons at voting station 67(1) Except for the returning officer, deputy, constable, candidates, official agents or scrutineers authorized to attend at the voting station and the electors who are for the time being actually engaged in voting, no other person is entitled to be present, nor shall any other person be permitted to be present, in the voting station during the time appointed for voting.

(2) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the presiding deputy at the voting station may authorize a person temporarily to observe the voting procedures from a location within the voting station designated by the presiding deputy.

RSA 2000

Section 68

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 50

(3) The presiding deputy shall not designate a location under subsection (2) that would allow the observer to see how electors mark their ballots.

(4) A person permitted to be present in the voting station pursuant to subsection (2) shall leave the voting station on the request of the presiding deputy. RSA 2000 cL-21 s67;2006 c22 s31 Prohibited removal of ballots 68(1) No person who has received a ballot from the deputy shall take the ballot out of the voting station.

(2) Any person who, having received a ballot from the deputy, leaves the voting station without first delivering it to the deputy in the manner provided by this Act, forfeits the person’s right to vote at that election and the deputy shall record in the elector register an entry to the effect that the person left the voting station without first delivering the ballot. RSA 2000 cL-21 s68;2018 c23 s25 Option for official agent 68.1(1) Each person nominated as a candidate may, on the nomination form, appoint an elector to be the candidate’s official agent.

(1.1) If it becomes necessary to appoint a new official agent, the candidate shall immediately notify the returning officer in writing of the contact information of the new official agent.

(2) A person who has, within the previous 10 years, been convicted of an offence under this Act, the Election Act, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act or the Canada Elections Act (Canada) is not eligible to be appointed as an official agent.

(3) No candidate shall act as an official agent for any other candidate.

(4) The duties of an official agent are those assigned to the official agent by the candidate. 2006 c22 s32;2012 c5 s112;2020 c22 s10 Candidate’s scrutineer 69(1) If, at any time during voting hours, a person who is at least 18 years old presents to the presiding deputy a written notice, in a form acceptable to the returning officer, (

a) signed by a candidate, and

RSA 2000

Section 69

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 51 (

b) stating that the person presenting the notice is to represent that candidate as the candidate’s scrutineer at the voting station, the person presenting the notice shall be recognized by the presiding deputy as the scrutineer of the candidate.

(1.1) A person who has, within the previous 10 years, been convicted of an offence under this Act, the Election Act, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act or the Canada Elections Act (Canada) is not eligible to be recognized as a scrutineer.

(2) Before a person is recognized as a scrutineer, the person shall make and subscribe before the presiding deputy at the voting station a statement in the prescribed form.

(3) The presiding deputy shall not permit a candidate to have an official agent or a scrutineer present while the candidate is present in a voting station during voting hours.

(3.1) The presiding deputy shall not permit a candidate to have both an official agent and a scrutineer present at the same time in a voting station during voting hours.

(4) A candidate or official agent personally may (

a) undertake the duties that the candidate’s scrutineer may undertake, and (

b) attend any place that the candidate’s scrutineer is authorized by this Act to attend.

(5) The presiding deputy may designate the place or places at a voting station where a candidate, an official agent or a scrutineer of a candidate may observe the election procedure, and in designating the place or places, the presiding deputy shall ensure that the candidate, official agent or scrutineer can observe any person making a statement under

section 48.1, 53(1)(

b) or (2), 53.03(2)(

a) or 78.

(5.1) A scrutineer may perform the duties of a scrutineer at more than one voting station.

(6) When, in the provisions of this Act that relate to the election of a member of an elected authority, expressions are used requiring or authorizing

an act or thing to be done or implying that

an act or thing is to be done in the presence of an official agent, a scrutineer or a candidate, the expression is deemed to refer to the presence of those official agents and scrutineers

RSA 2000

Section 70

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 52 (

a) that are authorized to attend, and (

b) that have in fact attended at the time and place where that act or thing is being done, and if the act or thing is otherwise properly done, the non-attendance of an official agent or a scrutineer at that time and place does not invalidate it.

(7) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, no person may impede a scrutineer from performing the duties of a scrutineer during voting hours.

RSA 2000 cL-21 s69;2006 c22 s33;2012 c5 s113;2018 c23 s26; 2020 c22 s10;2024 c11 s1(32);2025 c13 s1(14) Bylaw scrutineers 70(1) At any time fixed for a vote on a bylaw or question under this Act, the returning officer, if requested in writing by 2 or more electors, shall appoint, in writing, those persons named in the request as scrutineers to attend at the voting stations on behalf of the persons interested in promoting the passing of the bylaw or voting in the affirmative on the question and, if so requested by 2 or more electors, shall appoint, in writing, those persons named in the request to attend as scrutineers on behalf of the persons interested in opposing the passage of the bylaw or voting in the negative on the question.

(2) A person named in a request under subsection (1) shall not be appointed unless the person is at least 18 years old.

(2.1) A person who has, within the previous 10 years, been convicted of an offence under this Act, the Election Act, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act or the Canada Elections Act (Canada) is not eligible to be appointed under subsection (1).

(3) The presiding deputy shall not permit more than one scrutineer for each side of a bylaw or question to be present at the same time at a voting station or at a counting of the votes.

(4) The presiding deputy may designate the place or places at a voting station where a scrutineer may observe the conduct of the election.

(4.1) A scrutineer may perform the duties of a scrutineer at more than one voting station.

(5) Before any scrutineer is appointed, the scrutineer shall make and subscribe before the presiding deputy a statement in the prescribed form.

RSA 2000

Section 71

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 53

(6) Except as otherwise provided in this Act, no person may impede a scrutineer from performing the duties of a scrutineer during voting hours. RSA 2000 cL-21 s70;2003 c27 s22;2006 c22 s34;2020 c22 s10; 2024 c11 s1(33) Proof of appointment 71 If a person is appointed as a scrutineer under

section 70, the person shall (

a) before being admitted as a scrutineer to the voting station during voting hours, or (

b) before being permitted to attend at the voting station for the counting of votes, produce to the person in charge of the voting station the person’s appointment as a scrutineer and take and subscribe to the statement under

section 16 in the prescribed form. RSA 2000 cL-21 s71;2003 c27 s23;2006 c22 s35 Interpreter 72(1) If an elector is unable to read or does not understand the English language, the deputy may allow an interpreter to read or to translate the statement as well as any question necessary for the proper purposes of the election put to the elector, and the elector’s answers.

(2) Before acting as an interpreter, the interpreter shall make a statement in the prescribed form. RSA 2000 cL-21 s72;2003 c27 s24 Advance vote 73(1) Repealed 2020 c22 s11.

(2) Subject to subsection (3), an elected authority may by resolution provide for holding an advance vote for an election.

(3) Subject to subsections (4) and (7), a municipality having a population greater than 5000 must provide for holding an advance vote on (

a) the election of municipal councillors, including by-elections, and (

b) the submission of a bylaw or question to electors under

section 7.

RSA 2000

Section 74

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 54

(4) If the election is being held in only one ward but that ward is within a local jurisdiction with a population greater than 5000, the requirements of subsection (3) apply.

(5) No advance vote shall be held within 24 hours of election day.

(6) The returning officer must determine the days and hours when the advance vote under subsection (2) or (3) is to be held.

(7) The Minister may, at any time, make an order to exempt an elected authority from the requirement to provide for holding an advance vote under subsection (3). RSA 2000 cL-21 s73;2018 c23 s27;2020 c22 s11 Notice of advance vote 74(1) Notice of the days, the locations of the voting stations and the hours fixed for an advance vote shall be given in the form prescribed for use under

section 35 by publishing a notice at least one week before the date set for the advance vote in a newspaper or other publication circulating in the area, or by mailing or delivering a notice to every residence in the local jurisdiction at least one week before the date set for the advance vote.

(1.1) A notice of advance vote referred to in subsection (1) may be given by including it in the notice of election day provided under

section 35(2) in respect of the same election, provided that the requirements of both subsection (1) and

section 35(2) are met.

(1.2) If an election does not apply to an entire local jurisdiction, a notice of advance vote published, mailed or delivered in accordance with subsection (1.1) is only required to be published, mailed or delivered in a ward or voting subdivision within that local jurisdiction where an election is required.

(2) On complying with this section, the returning officer may publish, mail and deliver additional notices and give notice by any other method as many times as the returning officer considers appropriate. RSA 2000 cL-21 s74;2018 c23 s28 Advance vote stations 75(1) When an advance vote is authorized, the returning officer shall establish the number of advance voting stations the returning officer considers necessary.

(1.1) If there are wards in a local jurisdiction, the returning officer is not required to establish an advance voting station in each ward but must establish at least one advance voting station.

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Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 55

(2) If there are wards in a local jurisdiction, the presiding deputy shall maintain separate ballot boxes for each elected authority.

(3) A vote held at an advance voting station must be conducted in the same manner as a vote on election day except that (

a) a fresh ballot box must be used on each day of the advance vote, and (

b) on the completion of each day of the advance vote, the ballot box used that day must be sealed so that no ballots can be deposited in it without breaking the seal, and the ballot box must remain like that and be stored in a secure place until it is opened for the counting of ballots at the close of the voting stations on election day. RSA 2000 cL-21 s75;2003 c27 s25;2018 c23 s29 76 Repealed 2006 c22 s36. 77 Repealed 2018 c23 s30. Application for special ballot 77.1(1) An elector whose name is contained in the permanent electors register and who is unable to vote at an advance vote or at the voting station on election day may apply to vote by special ballot.

(1.1) An elector whose name is not contained in the permanent electors register and who is unable to vote at an advance vote or at the voting station on election day may apply to be added to the permanent electors register by (

a) completing an application in the prescribed form, (

b) making a statement in the pres cribed form that the person is eligible to vote as an elector, (

c) including a copy of the elect or’s identification that meets the requirements of

section 53(1)(b), and (

d) providing the information referred to in clauses (

a) to (

c) to the returning officer of the elector’s local jurisdiction.

(2) An elected authority may, by resolution passed prior to nomination day, provide for special ballots and provide that the application for special ballots may be made by any one or more of the following methods:

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Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 56 (

a) in writing; (

b) by telephone; (

c) by fax; (

d) in person; (

e) by e-mail; (

f) by secure website.

(2.1) If an elected authority has made a resolution described in subsection (2), an elector may apply to the returning officer of the elector’s local jurisdiction for a special ballot, by a method provided for in the resolution, and during the period of time specified in the resolution.

(2.2) Repealed 2012 c5 s114.

(2.3) Repealed 2018 c23 s31.

(2.4) An application for a special ballot must include the following: (

a) first and last name of the elector; (

b) municipal address of the residence of the elector; (

c) school elector status, if th e elector is voting for a trustee; (

d) mailing address to which the special ballot is to be sent; (

e) contact telephone number; (

f) contact e-mail address, if the elector is unavailable by telephone. (

g) repealed 2024 c11 s1(34).

(3) On receipt of an application under this section, if the elected authority by resolution before nomination day provides for special ballots, the returning officer or deputy must (

a) enter in the special ballot elector register (

i) the elector’s name and th e elector’s place of residence, and

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Section 77.2

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 57 (ii) the name and number of the voting subdivision for the elector’s place of residence, and (

b) cause the appropriate forms to be provided to the applicant.

(4) The returning officer must, on request, make available to any candidate or a candidate’s official agent or scrutineer in the voting station the names and addresses of those electors in the voting station who have applied for and been provided with the appropriate forms under this section.

(5) For greater certainty, this

section does not apply to a summer village that has not prepared a permanent electors register in accordance with

section 49. 2003 c27 s27;2006 c22 s37;2012 cE-0.3 s276;2012 c5 s114; 2018 c23 s31;2024 c11 s1(34);2025 c13 s1(15) Vote by special ballot 77.2(1) In this

section and in sections 77.21 and 77.3, “completed special ballot package” means, in respect of an elector, the sealed outer envelope and the contents of that envelope as described in subsection (3).

(2) On receipt of the appropriate forms pursuant to

section 77.1(3), the elector must vote by either writing or printing, in a legible manner, the names of the candidates of the elector’s choice, or by any other method provided for by the local jurisdiction, but if there is to be a vote on a bylaw or question, the wording must be determined in accordance with

section 44 and be supplied as part of the appropriate forms.

(3) After marking the appropriate forms, the elector must (

a) place them in the ballot envelope, (

b) seal the ballot envelope, (

c) place the ballot envelope in the certificate envelope, (

d) complete and, in the presence of a witness, sign

Part 1 of the certificate on the certificate envelope, (

e) have the witness complete the signature verification portion of the certificate on the certificate envelope, (

f) seal the certificate envelope,

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Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 58 (

g) include a copy of the elector ’s identification that meets the requirements of

section 53(1)(b), (

h) place the certificate envelope and the copy of the elector’s identification in the outer envelope, and (

i) seal the outer envelope.

(4) A witness referred to in subsection (3) must be an elector.

(5) A separate completed special ballot package is required for each elector.

(6) The elector must send the completed special ballot package so that it reaches the returning officer no later than the close of the voting station on election day or by the time and date set out in a resolution under

section 77.21(2).

(7) No person other than the elector may send the elector’s completed special ballot package under this section. 2003 c27 s27;2006 c22 s38;2012 c5 s115;2018 c23 s32; 2024 c11 s1(35) Receipt of completed special ballot packages 77.21(1) A local jurisdiction shall not use a drop box or central collection point to collect completed special ballot packages.

(2) An elected authority, by resolution, may set a time and date earlier than the closing of the voting station on election day for when a completed special ballot package must be received by a returning officer.

(3) On receipt of a completed special ballot package, the returning officer, in the presence of candidates, official agents or scrutineers, if any, must open the outer envelope, remove its contents and determine whether (

a) the name on the certificate envelope is the same as that of an individual already recorded in the special ballot elector register, (

b) Part 1 of the certificate is properly completed, (

c) the elector has included a copy of the elector’s identification that meets the requirements of

section 53(1)(b), and (

d) the signature on the elector ’s certificate sufficiently matches the signature on the elector’s identification, if the elector’s identification contains a signature.

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Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 59

(4) A copy of the elector’s identification may be used only (

a) to verify the elector’s name, current address and, if applicable, age, for the purpose of determining whether the elector is eligible to vote, (

b) to verify that the signatu re on the elector’s certificate sufficiently matches the signature on the elector’s identification, if the elector’s identification contains a signature, and (

c) in accordance with subsection (6).

(5) On determining that the elector is recorded in the special ballot elector register, that

Part 1 of the certificate is properly completed and that the copy of the elector’s identification meets the requirements of

section 53(1)(b), the returning officer must (

a) sign

Part 2 of the certificate, (

b) enter opposite the name of that person on the special ballot elector register the word “special”, if the elector’s name appears on the permanent electors register for the voting subdivision in which the elector is eligible to vote, (

c) record in the special ballot el ector register in the appropriate column the date and time the returning officer received the certificate envelope, (

d) open the certificate envelope, remove from it the sealed ballot envelope and place the sealed ballot envelope in a sealed ballot box marked “special ballot”, and (

e) enter in the special ballot el ector register, in the appropriate column, the word “voted”.

(6) If the returning officer is satisfied that (

a) Part 1 of the certificat e is not properly completed, (

b) the copy of the elector’s identification does not meet the requirements of

section 53(1)(b), (

c) the signature on the elector’s certificate does not sufficiently match the signature, if any, on the elector’s identification, (

d) the elector is not recorded in the special ballot elector register, or (

e) the elector has already returned a special ballot,

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Section 77.3

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 60 the returning officer must retain the certificate envelope unopened, attach the copy of the elector’s identification, if any, to the certificate envelope, treat the ballot in the envelope as a rejected ballot and mark the certificate envelope accordingly.

(7) At the close of the voting station on election day, the returning officer must deliver the special ballot box to the deputy of the voting station of the electors who have voted under this

section in the local jurisdiction and advise the deputy of the names of the electors who have so voted, and the deputy must proceed in accordance with

section 85 as if the special ballot box were from an advance poll.

(8) After completing the count of the ballots, the deputy must record the results on the prescribed form.

(9) Subject to this

section and sections 77.1 and 77.2, the voting procedures for a special ballot must as nearly as possible follow the provisions of this Act, except that the returning officer may use one special ballot box for a local jurisdiction, ward or subdivision.

(10) If the appropriate forms for voting by special ballot have been provided under

section 77.1 to an elector but the special ballot is not returned to a returning officer under this

section before the close of voting on election day or before the time and date set out in a resolution under subsection (2), the returning officer must record the special ballots on the ballot account referred to in

section 88(1) as not returned. 2003 c27 s27;2006 c22 s38;2012 c5 s115;2018 c23 s32; 2024 c11 s1(35) Late receipt of special ballot 77.3 If a completed special ballot package is received by a returning officer after the close of the voting station on election day or after the time and date set out in a resolution under

section 77.21(2), the ballot it contains must be considered a rejected ballot and the outer envelope must be retained unopened by the returning officer, who must record on it the reason for its rejection. 2003 c27 s27;2006 c22 s39;2024 c11 s1(36) Elector assistance 78(1) The deputy, at the request of an elector who is unable to vote in the manner prescribed by this Act and, if an elector assistance terminal is available, who does not elect to vote by that means, shall mark the vote of that elector on the elector’s ballot in the manner directed by that elector, and shall immediately deposit the ballot in the ballot box.

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Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 61

(2) The deputy shall not act under subsection (1) until the elector has made the prescribed statement.

(3) The deputy, if requested by an elector described in subsection (1) who is accompanied by a friend or relative who is at least 18 years of age, shall permit that friend or relative, on making the prescribed statement, to accompany the elector into a voting compartment for the purpose of marking the elector’s ballot and the ballot when marked shall be delivered by the elector or the friend or relative to the deputy to be deposited in the ballot box.

(4) The deputy shall not permit an elector to vote under subsection (3) until the elector and the elector’s friend or relative have made the prescribed statements.

(4.1) If an elector requests a blind elector template by June 30 in a year in which a general election is to be held, a municipality must pass a bylaw setting out the blind elector template.

(4.2) A municipality may pass a bylaw setting out the blind elector template even if no request is made under subsection (4.1).

(4.3) The bylaw referred to in subsections (4.1) and (4.2) must specify when the blind elector template is available and how the municipality will notify electors of the availability of the blind elector template.

(5) If an elector who is blind is not accompanied by a friend or relative into a voting compartment under subsection (3) and the municipality has passed a bylaw setting out the blind elector template in accordance with subsection (4.1), the deputy must (

a) provide the elector with a blind elector template, and (

b) instruct the elector in its use.

(5.1) If an elector is physically unable to enter a voting compartment, the deputy may set up a voting compartment for the elector elsewhere in the voting station or at the closest point of access to the voting station that the elector is able to attend.

(6) No candidate, official agent or scrutineer shall be present in the voting compartment at the marking of a ballot under this section.

(7) When a ballot has been marked pursuant to this section, the deputy shall enter in the elector register opposite the name of the elector and in the appropriate column either “elector assistance” or “template”. RSA 2000 cL-21 s78;2003 c27 s28;2006 c22 s40;2018 c23 s33; 2025 c13 s1(16)

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Section 79

Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 62 Elector assistance at home 79(1) An elected authority may by resolution provide for the attendance of 2 deputies at the residence of an elector, during the hours an advance voting station is open or other times as may be fixed by the resolution, in order to take the votes of an elector who, because of physical disability, is unable to attend a voting station or an advance voting station to vote.

(2) When a resolution has been passed under subsection (1), an elector described in subsection (1) may request the returning officer to have 2 deputies attend at the elector’s residence to take the elector’s vote within the time fixed by the resolution.

(3) If the returning officer is satisfied that an elector is unable to attend a voting station or an advance voting station because of physical disability, the returning officer shall include that elector’s name and address on a list.

(3.1) Notwithstanding subsection (3), the returning officer may include on the list the name and address of an elector who is physically able to attend a voting station or an advance voting station to vote if the elector resides in the same facility as an elector referred to in subsection (3).

(4) When the returning officer has completed the list in accordance with this section, the returning officer shall (

a) advise each applicant that the applicant’s application has been accepted or rejected, as the case may be, and in the event of rejection, give reasons for it, (

b) inform each elector whose ap plication has been accepted of the date and the approximate time at which 2 deputies will attend at the elector’s residence, and (

c) appoint sufficient deputies to give full effect to this section.

(5) All attendances by deputies under this

section shall be made during the hours fixed by the resolution and no vote shall be taken at any other time.

(6) A ballot box used in an election under this

section must be sealed on completion of the voting so that no ballots can be deposited in it without breaking the seal and it shall remain sealed until opened to allow the deposit of ballots in each subsequent residence that is attended for the taking of votes or until opened for the counting of ballots at the close of the voting stations on election day.

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Chapter L-21 LOCAL AUTHORITIES ELECTION ACT 63

(7) Every residence where a vote is taken under this

section is a voting station and the voting procedures shall as nearly as possible follow the provisions of this Act. RSA 2000 cL-21 s79;2003 c27 s29;2018 c23 s34;2024 c11 s1(37) Institutional vote location, eligibility and appointments 80(1) The elected authority by resolution or the returning officer, if authorized by resolution of the elected authority, may designate the location of one or more institutional voting stations for an election in addition to voting stations designated under

section 37.

(2) An elector who on election day (

a) is confined to a treatment centre in the local jurisdiction, or (

b) is a resident in a supportive living facility in the local jurisdiction, that is established as an institutional voting station for the election is eligible to vote at that institutional voting station.

(2.1) Notwithstanding subsection (2), an elected authority may designate a self-contained housing unit in a lodge accommodation as an institution for the purposes of holding an institutional vote under this section.

(3) The returning officer may appoint at least 2 deputies to take the votes of the electors referred to in subsection (2).

(4) If an elected authority provides for the holding of an advance vote, the returning officer may appoint the number of deputies that the returning officer considers necessary to take the votes on the day the advance vote is held of any electors who are residents of supportive living facilities or confined to treatment centres that are located in the local jurisdiction.

RSA 2000 cL-21 s80;2003 c27 s30;2018 c23 s35 Attendance at an institutional vote 81(1) If an institutional vote is provided for, the returning officer shall fix the times on election day at which the votes in the institutions shall be taken, and the presiding deputies, accompanied by candidates, official agents and scrutineers, if present, and by an official of the institution, if available, shall take the votes of any of those patients and residents who express a desire to vote.

(2) Despite subsection (1), candidates