Election 2010

Local elections in the Province of Alberta are governed by the Alberta Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA), and various election-related regulations.  Through this legislation, Morinville and our local School Board  - Greater St. Albert Catholic Division No. 29, are required to hold an election every three years.  In doing so, the election must follow these legal requirements closely, as well as the regulations set forth in Morinville's various election Bylaws and resolutions.

Morinville also has an agreement with Greater St. Albert School Board to conduct their elections.  Therefore, the following positions will be up for election:
     One Mayor
     Six Councillors
     Two Catholic School Board Trustees (elected on a division wide basis)

A Candidate's Handbook was prepared to better help those who may have an interest inputting their names forth for the upcoming election. The handbook is intended as general information only to supplement the Municipal Government Act, the School Act, Local Authorities Election Act and Morinville bylaws.

A Nomination Paper is available by clicking on the link.

Nominator Eligibility

For a candidate's nomination to be valid, the candidate must complete the prescribed Nomination Paper and have five eligible voters sign his or her Nomination Paper.  The candidate is encouraged, however, to seek more than five in case a nominator becomes disqualifed.
Candidate's must be:
- At least 18 years old;
- A Canadian citizen;
- A resident of Alberta for the six consecutive months prior to election day (as of April 18, 2010);
- A resident of the local jurisdiction on the date of signing the Nomination Paper and on election day; and
- Not otherwise ineligible for disqualified (Refer to S. 22(1) of the Local Authorities Election Act).

Filing of Nomination Papers

Nomination Papers are to be filed on Nomination Day - September 20, 2010.  The Returning Officer will receive each candidate's originally signed Nomination Paper from 10:00 am until Noon at the Council Chambers, 2nd Floor, St. Germain Plaza, 10125 - 100 Avenue, Morinville. Faxed or emailed nomination papers will not be accepted. Any person may file a nomination which meets Section 27 of the Local Authorities Election Act with the Returning Officer.

Town Council and Greater St. Albert Catholic Division No. 29 School Board Trustee elections are held on the same day, use the same ballot and are overseen by Morinville's Returning Officer.

Nomination Deposit

Nomination Deposits of $100 must accompany a Candidates nominations papers. Deposits are required to be in the form of cash, certified cheque or money order.

Deposits shall be returned to the candidate if:

  • the candidate is declared elected
  • the candidate obtains a number of votes at least equal to half of the total number of votes cast for the declared candidate, or
  • the candidate withdraws in accordance with Section 32 of the Local Authorities Election Act

Withdrawal of Nomination Papers

 If more than the required number of candidates for any particular office are nominated, you may, within 24 hours of the close of nominations (ie - before 12 noon on September 21, 2010) withdraw your name as a candidate by submitting a notice of withdrawal in writing to the Returning Officer. A faxed or emailed notice of withdrawal will not be accepted.

Your nomination cannot be withdrawn after the 24-hour deadline has passed and your name will appear on the ballot if you withdraw after the 24-hour period.

Special Ballots

On February 23, 2010, Council approved a resolution to provide for Special Ballots.  Special Ballots are paper ballots requested by the elector, completed by the elector and returned to the Returning Officer prior to the close of polls on Polling Day.

Special ballots are frequently used by electors who are:

- Physically incapacitated,
- Studying away from their place of ordinary residence,
- Working away from their place of ordinary residence; or
- Vacationing during the election period.

Requests for a Special Ballot should be made on the Request for Special Ballot Package form after Nomination Day - September 20, 2010.  An elector must contact the Returning Officer in writing, by telephone (780-939-4361 ext. 244), by fax (780-939-5633), in person; or, by email (jmaskoske@morinville.ca). On receipt of a Special Ballot request, the Returning Officer will mail the Special Ballot package or hold it for pick-up by the elector or the elector's designate.  The person picking up the package will be asked by the Returning Officer to provide identification.  Special Ballots cannot be sent to the elector, nor returned to the Returning Officer by facsimile or other electronic means.  Return the Special Ballot by following the step-by-step instructions.  The elector must complete the Special Ballot and Part I of the Special Ballot Certificate Envelope.


Please visit Alberta Municipal Affairs & Housing website for more information http://www.municipalaffairs.gov.ab.ca/mc_elections.cfm.

For More Information:
Morinville Elections 2010
10125 - 100 Avenue
Morinville  AB   T8R 1L6
Telephone:   780.939.4361
Fax:              780.939.5633
Email:           jmaskoske@morinville.ca