Candidate's Checklist
Pre-Campaign Period
- Familiarize yourself with the Elections and Plebiscites Act
- Get organized! Recruit an Official Agent and a campaign team
- Plan your campaign
- Start assembling your campaign material
- you may spend your own money during this period to prepare for your campaign, but you cannot accept contributions
- any money you spend during this period is included in your $30,000 total spending limit for the election
- Visit the Forms page to download and review the Nomination Paper (form 2010)
- Start filling out the Nomination Paper, so it’s ready to submit once the nomination period begins
REMEMBER: you are not legally a Candidate until your Nomination Papers have been accepted by the Returning Officer.
The Nomination Period
- Appoint an Official Agent
- Complete your Nomination Paper
- Submit the completed Nomination Paper in person, to the Returning Officer or authorized election officer in the district where you wish to run as a Candidate
REMEMBER: your Official Agent may assist with the preparation of your Nomination Paper and submit it for you.
Campaign Period
- Provide your Official Agent with a statement and receipts for any expenses you incurred during the pre-election period
- Provide your Official Agent with the information they need to access the Candidate Portal on your behalf
- Ensure your Official Agent provides written authorization to anyone they designate to accept contributions on their behalf
- Ensure your Official Agent provides official receipts to anyone who makes a monetary contribution to your campaign
- anonymous and non-monetary contributions are NOT eligible for a receipt
- ONLY an Official Agent can issue an official receipt
- Make sure you and your campaign team comply with all election laws
- Ensure that the placement all of your campaign materials complies with the Act and any other laws applicable to its location
- Check this website and the Candidate Portal regularly for any election administration updates
- Appoint polling agents
- Ensure your Official Agent is aware that they are responsible for all post-election financial reporting
REMEMBER: your Official Agent is in charge of recording all campaign contributions and expenses and keeping all associated backup documentation.
Post-Election Period
- Remove any campaign signage and materials from public property within 14 days of polling day
- Make yourself available in case a judicial recount is required in your electoral district
- Ensure your Official Agent has balanced your campaign finances
- Any surplus funds must be donated to a charitable organization or submitted to the Chief Electoral Officer
- If you ran a deficit, you have 60 days after polling day to collect additional contributions, or you may use your own personal funds to pay any outstanding expenses
REMEMBER: Candidate’s Financial Reports are due within 60 days of polling day, so it is best to plan ahead to avoid having to raise contributions within this period.
Reporting Period
- Sign the Candidate’s Declaration (section 6) in the Candidate’s Financial Report (Form 2120)
- Ensure that your Official Agent submits a complete and accurate Candidate’s Financial Report (Form 2120) within 60 days of polling day
- if your Official Agent is not able to complete your Candidate’s Financial Report on time, ensure they have applied to the Chief Electoral Officer for an extension
REMEMBER: there may be legal and/or financial consequences for a Candidate if their Official Agent fails to submit a complete and accurate Candidate’s Financial Report on time.