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Candidate's Checklist

Contents

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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