Municipal General Election

In the case of general elections, election day occurs on the third Monday in October every four years, with voting stations open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. local time on election day. The right to vote in local elections in Alberta is conferred on individuals ordinarily resident in the local jurisdiction.

The next general election will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025, where voters will elect MD of Opportunity Reeve and Council to serve a four-year term.

Council consists of 11 members, including a Reeve and 10 Ward Councillors representing 7 wards within the MD, including Wabasca, Calling Lake, Sandy Lake, Peerless Lake, Trout Lake, Red Earth Creek, and Chipewyan Lake.

Municipal elected officials are tasked with a significant responsibility to help shape the future of their local community, from infrastructure and budgeting to economic development and the delivery of essential municipal services.

Elected officials perform a role that is distinct from the role of the CAO and other local government staff, whose job it is to provide support, advice, and assistance while implementing Council’s policy direction and otherwise administering the local government.

As the voice of their constituents, Councillors ensure that the needs and wants of residents are heard and addressed while also bearing in mind the sustainable future of the municipality. Elected officials are decision-makers and set strategic policies and priorities for the municipality. These decisions can directly enhance the quality of life for residents, whether through improving public services, fostering economic growth and prosperity, or creating a more inclusive and equitable community.

Information for Candidates

Candidates can begin to file nomination papers on January 1 in the year of the election, up until nomination day, four weeks prior to election day.

The nomination period for the 2025 General Election begins on January 1, 2025 and ends at 12:00 noon on nomination day. Nomination day for the 2025 General Election is Monday, September 22, 2025.

An elector must be at least 18 years of age, a Canadian citizen; reside in Alberta, and the person’ place of residence must be located in the local jurisdiction, and ward if any, on election day.

The Local Authorities Election Act governs municipal elections and sets rules and regulations for candidates, electors, donors, and election administrators. To review the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) and its accompanying regulations, please visit the Alberta King’s Printer or call 780-427-4952.

To learn how to make a difference in your community, and for more information regarding a run for municipal office in Alberta, including such key topics as what it means to be an elected official, how to navigate the process of running for office, and where to find the essential resources and information to help guide candidates through their campaigns, please review the following Government of Alberta and Alberta Municipalities and Rural Municipalities of Alberta resources.

Local Authority Election Bylaws

2021-14 Establishing Locations (Local Authorities Elections Act) Bylaw
2017-01 Municipal Council Wards and Boundaries Bylaw
2013-20 Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) Nomination Fee Bylaw
2013-19 Local  Authorities Election Act (LAEA) Printing of Ballots in Lots Bylaw
2013-17 Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) Nomination Hours and Establishing Locations for Receipt of Nominations Bylaw
2007-16 Election Day Voting Stations Open Times Bylaw
2004-03 Permanent Electors Register Bylaw

Forms and Resources

Notice of Intent to be Nominated Form
Candidate Nomination and Acceptance Form
Candidate Financial Information Form
Release of Candidate Information Form (Form coming soon)

Additional information may be found in the following document: A Candidate’s Guide: Running for Local Elected Office in Alberta.

Key 2025 Election Dates

Oct 31, 2024 Start of campaign period
Jan 1, 2025 Start of nomination period
Jan 1, 2025 Earliest date a municipal employee wishing to be nominated may notify
 their employer that they are taking an unpaid leave of absence.
Mar 1, 2025 Deadline to submit campaign finance disclosure statement
 (for candidates who accepted contributions in 2024).
Mar 22, 2025 Starting date of the consecutive 6-month period to be a resident of the local
 jurisdiction and ward, to be eligible for nomination.
May 1, 2025 Start of election advertising period for third-party advertisers.
Sept 21, 2025 Latest date a municipal employee wishing to be nominated may notify
 their employer that they are taking an unpaid leave of absence.
Sept 22, 2025 Nomination day (nomination period closes at 12 noon)
Sept 23, 2025 Candidates may withdraw their nomination in writing, in person, until 12 noon
 if more than the required number of candidates are nominated.
Oct 20, 2025 Election Day
Oct 22, 2025 Candidates may request a recount before 4:00 p.m
Oct 24, 2025 Official election results must be posted by 12 noon
Oct 26, 2025 Last day to request a recount if the votes between the candidate declared
 elected and the first runner up are within 0.5 per cent of the total number of
 votes cast for that office.
Nov 3, 2025 Last day for a municipal council to hold an organizational meeting.
Nov 8, 2025 Last day for an elector to request a judicial recount.
Dec 1, 2025 Last day for a candidate, an elected authority, or an elector to initiate
 a court process to challenge the validity of an election under LAEA Part 5.
Dec 31, 2025 End of campaign period
Jan 1, 2026 Start of campaign period for 2029 General Election
Mar 1, 2026 Deadline to submit campaign finance disclosure statement for candidates
 who accepted contributions in 2025 and for registered third party advertisers.

Notice of Intent to be Nominated

Individuals who intend to be nominated, or who have been nominated to run for election must give written notice to the MD of Opportunity, including their full name, address and contact information; the address of the place to which communications may be sent; the names and addresses of the financial institutions to be used as depositories for campaign contributions; and the names of the signing authorities for each financial institution to be used for campaign contributions.

A Notice of Intent may be submitted anytime during a campaign period, but must be accepted by the Returning Officer and added to the Municipal District’s Register of Candidates before accepting any campaign contributions or incurring any campaign expenses.  A candidate is responsible to ensure they are eligible to run in accordance with the Local Authorities Election Act.

Please note that submitting a Notice of Intent to be Nominated does not make you a candidate. A candidate nomination package must still be submitted and accepted by the Returning Officer during the Nomination Period which begins January 1, 2025 and runs until noon on September 22, 2025. It is the responsibility of potential candidates to ensure their submissions meet the legislated requirements and are submitted within the required timelines.

Notice of Intent Form coming soon.

Candidate Disclosure Requirements

If you have submitted a Notice of Intent to be Nominated, you are required to complete and submit campaign disclosure statements for the Campaign Period in accordance with the Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA). Please note that this includes anyone who withdraws their nomination, self-funds, has zero expenses or contributions (or both).

Candidates are responsible to meet the requirements of the LAEA and to ensure their information is accurate and submitted within the prescribed timelines. Late-filing fees or penalties (from the Election Commissioner of Alberta) are the responsibility of the candidate.

Steps for submission of Campaign Disclosure Statements for the 2025 campaign period:

1. Complete a Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement (form coming soon)
   Attach a contributions list (if applicable)
   Attach an itemized expenses list (if applicable)
   Amendments: If you become aware of any information that requires updating,
 you must file an update within 30 days of becoming aware of the change.
2. Submit your completed Forms and contributions list/expense list to the MD of Opportunity March 2, 2026 at 4:30 p.m.
3. Campaign disclosure statements will then be published on the MD of Opportunity website.