Are you passionate about your community and interested in making a difference? Running for municipal office is a great way to contribute to the future of our great city. Whether you're a first-time candidate or have previous experience, this page provides essential resources and information to guide you through the election process.

Resources for Prospective Candidates

1. Role of Council
2. Council Responsibilities
3. Council Conduct Expectations
4. Eligibility, Nomination and Election Process
5. Opportunity to Learn through SUMA

Why Run for Office?

Running for municipal office is more than just a chance to shape policies; it's an opportunity to represent your community and address local issues that matter to you. By becoming a candidate, you can:

• Influence decisions that impact everyday life in your municipality.
• Advocate for the needs and interests of your neighbors and community members.
• Help create a better future through thoughtful and effective governance.

Information for Candidates

If you are interested in running, the Candidate Information Guide provides and overview of the election process in Melfort and a summary of the steps required to run as a candidate. 

Qualifications for Candidates

A person is qualified to be nominated as a candidate for the position of Mayor or Councillor if that person:

1. is at least eighteen (18) years of age or older on election day; and

2. is, at the time he or she submits the nomination paper

   (a) a Canadian citizen, and

   (b) has resided in the City of Melfort, or on land that is now in the City, for at least three consecutive months immediately preceding the date on which the nomination paper is submitted, and

   (c) has resided in the Province of Saskatchewan for at least six consecutive months  
        immediately preceding the date on which the nomination paper is submitted.

None of the following persons are eligible to be nominated or elected to hold office as a member of council:

1. a judge of a court, or

2. an auditor or solicitor of the municipality.

No person is disqualified from being nominated for office as a member of council by reason of having an interest in a contract with the City.  Any employee of the City of Melfort, who may be interested in being nominated for the office of Mayor or Councillor, must first obtain a leave of absence in accordance with subsection 80(1) of The Labour Standards Act.  If an employee on leave of absence is successfully elected, the employee is deemed to have resigned from his or her position on the day before the day on which he or she is declared elected. 

Nomination of Candidates

Application:

Nomination papers for municipal offices may be obtained from the City Clerk’s Office, City Hall (202 Burrows Avenue West) or download the Candidate's Nomination Package (Coming September 1, 2024).  To be nominated for an elected position a person must file a nomination paper with the Returning Officer or the Associate Returning Officer, or his/her designate, either personally, or by agent during the specified nomination period.  For more information, consult the Candidate's Information Booklet.

Requirements:

1. The nomination paper must state the name and address of the person being nominated and the office for which they are being nominated.
2. For the office of Mayor, the application must be signed by at least five (5) electors of the City accompanied by the name and address of each nominator.
3. For the position of Councillor, the application must be signed by at least five (5) electors of the City, accompanied by the name and address of each nominator.
4. The nomination paper is not valid unless the candidate’s acceptance statement is signed by the person being nominated, witnessed by two persons and accompanied with a completed Public Disclosure Statement.

Relevant Provisions:

1. Only one person can be nominated for the election on each nomination paper.
2. An elector may sign the nomination papers of more than one person.
3. No candidate can nominate himself/herself.
4. The onus to file a bona fide nomination paper is on the person being nominated.
5. No person can be nominated as both Mayor and Councillor of the City.
6. A receipt for nomination will be issued at the time the form is filed at City Hall. 

Filing of Nomination Papers:

Nomination papers may be filed with the Returning Officer or designate at the Clerk’s Office, City Hall, 202 Burrows Avenue West at any time during normal office hours (Monday to Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.) during the nomination period and on Nomination Day from 9:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m.

Nomination Package Available - September 3, 2024

Call for Nominations - September 16, 2024

Nomination Day - October 9, 2024 until 4:00 pm

Withdrawal of Nomination:

A person who has been nominated may withdraw his/her nomination within 24 hours of the close of nominations by filing with the Returning Officer a written request to that effect signed by the nominated person and by either two witnesses or the Returning Officer or the Nomination Officer.  A request to withdraw a nomination must be filed with the Returning Officer between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on the day following Nomination Day.

Withdrawal Date - October 10, 2024 until 4:00 pm

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Links and Publications

Candidate's Information Booklet 2024

Nomination Form/Candidate's Acceptance Candidate's Profile Form

Voting in School Board Elections and Running for Election to a School Board