Municipal and School Board Elections 2022

Frequently Asked Questions

General Information:

1. When do municipal elections take place?
2. Who is the Senior Election Official (SEO)?
3. What are the responsibilities of council in a municipal election?

• deciding if the election will be at-large or based on wards;*
• agreeing to conduct an election, or any part of an election, with another local authority;
• appointing the Senior Election Official;
• budgeting for election expenses and deciding remuneration for election officials;
• establishing a by-law restricting the use of municipal resources by candidates during an election; * and
• deciding whether to authorizing the use of vote-counting machines. *

*by-laws for these purposes must be passed at least 180 days before the election to take effect

Candidates:

1. What is the term length of municipal elected officials?
2. Do municipal officials receive a salary for their service?
3. What are the qualifications to run for municipal council or a Local Urban District committee?
4. Can I run for office if I work for the municipality or a regional municipal body (Planning District, Conservation District, etc.)?
5. Can I run for office in a municipal election if I am a federal public servant?
6. May I hold elected office in a school division and municipality at the same time?
7. Can I run as a candidate for councillor in a ward that I do not reside or own property in, as long as I reside or own property in the municipality?
8. If I register to run for Head of Council, am I later able to change my registration to run for councillor instead?
9. When can I start campaigning?
10. When can I register?
11. Are there any rules about spending money for my campaign, or reporting the amounts I spend?
12. Can I pick up nomination papers when I register?
13. How many people need to nominate me to run for office?
14. When do I have to file my nomination papers?
15. Can the public view my nomination papers?
16. What if I decide I don't want to run for office after I've filed my nomination?
17. Can I have campaign signs at the voting place on Election Day?
18. I have been asked by a candidate to act as scrutineer. What does a scrutineer do?
19. How many scrutineers is a candidate allowed to appoint?
20. Is a candidate entitled to act as a scrutineer?
21. Is the scrutineer able to wear or display anything that shows they represent a particular candidate?
22. Can i use the term Mayor or Councillor in election communications?

• Are a Canadian citizen;
  
• Are at least 18 years of age on Election Day;
  
• Are a resident of Manitoba;
  
• Are a qualified voter of the municipality or LUD (you have either resided or owned property in the municipality or LUD for at least six months); and
  
• Have not been disqualified from running under The Municipal Act, or any other Act (see below for examples of disqualifications).

• Are a judge of the Court of Queen's Bench or the Court of Appeal;
  
• Are a provincial judge or justice of the peace;
  
• Are a member of the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba or the Senate or House of Commons of Canada;
  
• Are a sitting member or are nominated for office in another municipality or school division;
  
• Are an employee of the municipality, unless you have been granted a leave of absence; or
  
• Have been disqualified, for any of the following reasons:
• Have committed an election offence, and are barred from running in the municipal election;
• Have been convicted under The Municipal Act or any other Act and have not paid the fine imposed;
• Have been convicted of a fine punishable by imprisonment for five or more years;
• Have been convicted under The Criminal Code (Canada) under any of the following sections: 122 (breach of trust by public officer), 123 (municipal corruption), 124 (selling or purchasing office), or 125 (influencing or negotiating appointments or dealings in office);
• Cease to be qualified as a voter in the municipality; or
• Breach the requirement of confidentiality for a matter that is discussed at a council meeting closed to the public.
  

• Mayor and Reeve candidates must register between February 1, 2022 and June 16, 2022.
• Councillor candidates must register between March 31, 2022 and June 16, 2022.

• Mayor and Reeve candidates must register between May 1, 2022 and September 20, 2022.
• Councillor candidates must register between June 30, 2022 and September 20, 2022.
  

• June 10 to June 16, 2022 in Victoria Beach, Winnipeg Beach, and Dunnottar.
• September 14 to September 20, 2022 in all other municipalities.

• distribute pamphlets, buttons or other items referring to the election, or a candidate;
• wear or display any item that refers to the election or a candidate; or
• post or display a sign or poster referring to the election or a candidate.

Campaign Finance:

1. When am I allowed to accept contributions and spend money on my campaign?
2. Do I have to set up a campaign account at a bank or credit union?
3. Who can contribute to my campaign?
4. What do I do if I receive anonymous or ineligible contributions?
5. Is there a limit to the amount that an individual can contribute to one candidate?
6. Can I hold a fundraiser for my campaign?
7. Am I allowed to receive non-monetary contributions, such as goods or services?
8. Can I take out a loan to help pay for my campaign?
9. Is there a limit on the expenses that I can incur during my campaign?
10. What is considered to be a campaign expense?
11. Do I have to keep track of my campaign contributions and expenses? How do I do this?
12. What is an Election Finance Statement?
13. Do I need to file an Election Finance Statement if I have no campaign contributions or expenses?
14. When do I have to file my Election Finance Statement?
15. What happens if I don't file my Election Finance Statement on time?
16. What do I do if my Election Finance Statement shows a surplus?
17. Am I allowed to show a deficit on my Election Finance Statement?
18. Do campaign finance rules apply to by-elections?
19. Can I use Municipal Resources in my campaign?

• For Mayor and Reeve candidates, the campaign period is between February 1, 2022 and December 31, 2022.
• For Councillor candidates, the campaign period is between March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2022.

• For Mayor and Reeve candidates, the campaign period is between May 1, 2022 and March 31, 2023.
• For councillor candidates, the campaign period is between June 30, 2022 and March 31, 2023.

• only loans from financial institutions (e.g., banks, credit unions, caisse populaires) are permitted;
• loans can be repaid from a candidate's campaign account, through contributions or fundraising.
• loans can also be repaid by other persons on the candidate's behalf, those payments are considered contributions and must be recorded as such; and
• a registered candidate is not allowed to lend or give money raised for the purpose of the election to another person or organization.

• costs for a hall or room rentals for public meetings;
• fees for printing pamphlets, notices and advertisements or making signs;
• costs for hiring vehicles and drivers for campaign purposes;
• costs for food and refreshments for candidates or campaign workers/volunteers served at election meetings; and
• travel expenses such as gas.

• Monetary Contributions: Date received, Contributor name, Contributor Address, Amount.
• Non-Monetary Contributions: Date received, Contributor name, Contributor Address, Good or Service, Monetary value of Good or Service.
• Election Expenses: Date expense incurred, Date paid, Goods / Property / Services received, Cost.

• all contributions received and expenses incurred;
• the name, residential address and contribution of anyone who contributed more than $250;
• an itemized list of campaign expenses;
• the contributions and expenses related to any fundraising event;
• details of any loan made to the candidate for the purpose of the election campaign including the name of the financial institution that made the loan, principal amount of the loan, interest rate on the loan and the terms of repayment; and
• any other information required by your municipality.

Voters

1. Who is eligible to vote in a municipal election and a Local Urban District committee election?
2. I don't live in the municipality, but I own property - can I vote?
3. I am moving this summer from Ward A in my municipality to Ward B. Will I be able to vote in Ward B even though I have lived in the ward for less than 6 months on Election Day?
4. I am a property owner in the Local Urban District (LUD) but do not reside in the LUD. Am I entitled to vote for the LUD committee members?
5. For school division elections, if I don't reside in the school division, but own property - can I vote?
6. How can I find out if my municipal councillors are elected in wards?
7. My municipality has wards. I live in one ward and own property in another. Can I vote in both?
8. I own property in two wards in a municipality - Can I vote in both wards?
9. I live in one municipality, and own property in another municipality. Can I vote in both municipal elections?
10. My property is registered in the name of a corporation. Am I qualified to vote as a non-resident owner in the municipal election where that property is located?
11. I am a member of a First Nation, living on reserve. Can I vote in a municipal election?
12. Can I have my name, address and other information omitted or obscured from the voters' list?
    

1. Resident Voters: In order to qualify as a resident voter, a person must be:
   
   • A Canadian citizen;
   • At least 18 years of age on Election Day; and
   • A resident of the local authority or Local Urban District for at least six months on Election Day.
   Persons with no fixed address may vote in a municipal election. If the person has no ordinary or "fixed" residence in the local authority, they are deemed to reside at the shelter, hostel or other similar institution that most frequently provides lodging, food or other social services.
2. Non-resident Voters: In order to qualify as a non-resident voter, a person must be:
   • A Canadian citizen;
   • At least 18 years of age on Election Day; and
   • A registered owner of land in the municipality or Local Urban District for at least six months on Election Day.
   For municipal election purposes, "registered owner of land" means:
   1. a tenant or occupier of the land, if his or her name is entered on the latest revised realty assessment roll as the owner of a right, interest or estate in it; or
   2. if no person qualifies under clause (a), the person who is the owner of a freehold estate in the land, including a person who is owner with another person, as joint tenants, or tenants in common of a freehold estate OR a person who is registered under The Condominium Act as the owner, defined in that Act, of a unit under that Act.
   If there are more than two non-resident property owners for a single property, a maximum of two can vote in a municipal election. In order to vote, each voter must obtain written consent from the majority of the registered property owners, and file this with the Senior Election Official.
   
   In the case of ward elections, a voter must vote in the ward where they reside, even if they own property in more than one ward. If a property owner does not reside in the municipality, but owns property in more than one ward, the person must apply to the Senior Election Official to designate their voting ward. The voter must choose a ward before the voters list is closed to revisions, or the Senior Election Official will choose a ward on the voter's behalf.
   

Election Day

1. Do I need identification in order to vote?
2. Do I get time off work to vote in a local election?
3. If I am not on the voters list, can I still register to vote on Election Day?
4. Am I allowed to look at the voters list?
5. How will I know where to vote?
6. If a voter accidentally spoils their ballot, can they request a replacement ballot?
7. Can I take someone into the voting compartment with me?
8. How can a visually impaired or blind person be assisted in marking their ballot?
9. How many voters may a person assist in marking their ballot?
10. I have difficulty understanding the voting official because I am not fluent in the language being spoken. How can I be assisted in marking my ballot?
11. I have power of attorney on behalf of a resident or landowner. Can I vote on his or her behalf?
12. Are there COVID-19 protocols in place at the voting stations?

Alternative Voting Opportunities:

Election Officials:

1. Can a member of council act as an election official?
2. Must the appointment of election officials be made annually?
3. What can be done if one of the appointed election officials becomes ill and cannot complete their duties?
4. What can be done to expedite the printing of ballots for the municipal election?
5. How can the election officials keep order in the voting place and attend to their duties if someone creates a disturbance at the voting place?
6. What should be considered when selecting and setting up a voting place?
7. Can a voting place be established in the basement of a community hall or in the lounge area at the Legion?
8. According to The Municipal Councils and School Boards Elections Act, the voting place must be open at 8:00 a.m. on Election Day, and close at 8:00 p.m. If there is a power outage or a snowstorm which makes it difficult or impossible to keep the voting place open, how can we meet the legislated time-frame?
9. What kinds of signs can be posted at the voting place on Election Day?
10. Who can be present at the voting station on Election Day?

• a spacious area that ensures privacy of voting. Don't place voting compartments in areas that can be observed through windows;
• washroom facilities close at hand;
• a separate room for election staff for breaks, preferably a room with telephone access; and
• ability to place voting compartments in locations that allow ease of movement for voters to and from the voting station - this will help to avoid tight line-ups of voters.

• the voting official and any other election official appointed for that station;
• candidates;
• any person appointed as an interpreter;
• no more than two scrutineers per candidate (candidates can appoint their official agent as a scrutineer);
• voters present for the purpose of voting; and
• any other person that the S.E.O. allows to be present.

Post-Election Results:

1. Who can be present when ballots are being counted?
2. When will the election results be available?
3. What happens if there is a tie vote?
4. What if I have concerns about the election count?
5. What happens to election documents after the election?

• the voting official, and any other election official appointed for that voting station;
• the candidates;
• no more than two scrutineers per candidate;
• any other person that the S.E.O. allows to be present.