2025 Municipal Election

Legislative Changes

On October 18, 2024, Municipal Affairs proclaimed the Municipal Statutes Amendment Act, which made several amendments to the Local Authorities Elections Act (LAEA) and the Municipal Government Act (MGA). The amendments related to municipal elections came into effect on October 31, 2024.

Councillor Training: Orientation training is now mandatory.

Electors Register: Municipalities must create a Permanent Electors Register in partnership with Elections Alberta. All voters must be on a permanent Electors Registry. To register to vote or check to see if you are registered to vote, visit Voterlink – Home

Nomination Period: Extended from Jan. 1 to Nomination Day (Sept. 22, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.).

 Are you thinking about being a candidate in the 2025 municipal election?

The province has passed the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 which makes changes to two pieces of legislation: the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) and the Municipal Government Act (MGA), which came into force on October 31, 2024.

Learn more about key information for candidates in the upcoming election and the next steps you will need to take as you move forward with your candidacy.  In accordance with the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA), citizens who are considering running in the next Municipal Election are accountable for ensuring their own eligibility.  Please refer to the LAEA to determine your eligibility as a candidate.

Candidate Information Package

The Town of Swan Hills 2025 Candidate Information Package is a resource that will provide you with general candidate information, contacts, details on the roles of members of Council, nomination information, and more. You can download the package below, or pick one up at our the Town Office located at 5536 Main Street, Swan Hills.

2025 Candidate Information Package(May be updated from time to time.)

Alberta Municipalities has created a guide to inform candidates interested in running for municipal council (including webinars).

Municipal Affairs offers a candidates guide with information regarding eligibility to run, nominations, campaigning, collecting campaign contributions and incurring campaign-related expenses. View the Municipal Affairs candidate Package here: A Candidates Guide: Running for Local Elected Office in Alberta

Important Dates

Campaign Period          ~~~~~      October 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025

Nomination Period        ~~~~~      January 2, 2025 to 12:00 pm, September 22, 2025

Nomination Day            ~~~~~       September 22, 2025

Advanced Vote              ~~~~~       TBD

Election Day                     ~~~~~       October 20, 2025

Council Orientation    ~~~~~       TBD

Please check back regularly as information on this page is subject to change and/or additional information may be posted. This information is provided as a courtesy to candidates and the Town of Swan Hills is in no way responsible for errors or omissions. Please consult the  Local Authorities Election Act as a comprehensive guide to the election and the changes within. It is the responsibility of the candidate to read and understand the legislation and bylaw(s) concerning this election.

Notice of Intent 

If you intend to run as a candidate in the Town of Swan Hills, you must submit a written Notice of Intent to the Returning Officer.

Once a Notice of Intent form is accepted as complete by the Returning Officer, you are allowed to be a candidate, accept contributions, or incur campaign expenses according to the rules set out in the Local Authorities Election Act  and the Expense Limits Regulation.  After January 1, 2025, candidates can submit their nomination forms and notice of intent at the same time.

How to submit your Notice of Intent

Submit your completed Notice of Intent form to the Returning Officer at 5536 Main Street, Swan Hills. (Appointment can be made to meet with the returning Officer by contacting the town office at 780-333-4477).  This form must be signed in front of the Returning Officer, Commissioner For Oaths or Notary Public.  Once accepted by the Returning Officer, the name of the candidate will be included on the Register of Candidates and posted publicly in accordance with the Local Authorities Election Act. Once a notice of intent has been accepted by the Returning Officer, the individual is allowed to accept contributions and/or incur campaign expenses according to the rules set out in the Local Authorities Election Act and the Expense Limits Regulation.

Campaign Disclosure Statements

• 2024 Campaign Disclosure Statement: If you have accepted contributions or incurred expenses in 2024 you must file the required campaign disclosure forms by March 1, 2025.
• 2025 Campaign Disclosure Statement: If you have accepted contributions or incurred expenses in 2025, you must file the required campaign disclosure forms by March 1, 2026.

Please refer to the Local Authorities Election Act and visit the Municipal Affairs website for additional information.

Eligibility

• be eligible to vote in the election
• have been a resident of the Town of Swan Hills for at least (6) consecutive months prior to Nomination Day (or since March 22, 2025).
• Not otherwise ineligible or disqualified under the Local Authorities Election Act.

Nominations

The town is having an election for both Mayor and Councillors. You can become a candidate for either of the two (2) positions.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure they are eligible to run in the election before submitting nomination forms.

Nomination Forms

The following forms must be submitted if you plan on running as a candidate for Mayor or Council:

• Form 4 – Nomination Paper and Candidate’s Acceptance
• Form 5 – Candidate Financial Information

Please note that additional forms will be required throughout the election process.

Submitting Your Nomination

You may file your nomination forms starting January 2, 2025 up until the close of nominations on September 22, 2025 by 12 noon (Nomination Day). The nomination forms must be signed by the candidate and witnessed by a Commissioner for Oaths in Alberta. Original signatures are required, no photocopies, facsimiles or emailed forms will be accepted.

You can book an appointment with the Returning Officer before arriving to file. You can file your completed nomination forms by in person appointment at 5536 Main Street, Swan Hills. 

 You can schedule an appointment with the Returning Officer, by email at: info@townofswanhills.com or by phone at 780-333-4477.

All submissions must be made in person. We will not accept mailed or emailed submissions.

Forms and Resources

Forms 

• Form 4 – Nomination Paper and Candidate’s Acceptance
• Form 5 – Candidate Financial Information
• Form 26 – Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement
• Form 29 – Notice of Intent
• Candidate/Official Agent Communications Consent Form 

A full list of municipal election forms can be found on the provincial website for municipal elections.

Resources

• 2025 Town of Swan Hills Candidate Information Package
•  Local Authorities Election Act
• Municipal Government Act
• Alberta Municipalities – Running for Municipal Office (includes potential candidate webinars)
• Municipal Affairs – A Candidates Guide: Running for Local Elected Office in Alberta
• Province of Alberta – Municipal Elections Website 

Voter Information

The Town of Swan Hills will hold the next general municipal election on October 20, 2025.  Residents of the town will be able to elect 1 Mayor and 6 Councillors, who will hold a 4 year term. 

Registering to Vote (New requirement to vote in 2025)

New for this election, changes to legislation require municipalities to develop (in partnership with Elections Alberta) a Permanent Electors Register.  The Town of Swan Hills will be using Elections Alberta data to ensure you are eligible to vote on October 20, 2025. To vote you must first go to the Elections Alberta Website and register to vote.  If you have already registered to vote in a prior provincial election, you can use the Elections Alberta Voterlink site to verify that your information is correct.  

Who Can Vote?

You are eligible to vote in the Municipal Election if, on Election Day, you:

To be eligible to vote, an elector must be:

• 18 years old;
• A Canadian Citizen;
• A resident in Alberta; and,
• The elector’s place of residence must be located in the local jurisdiction on election day (Section 47 of the Local Authorities Election Act)