Candidate's Checklist
Pre-Campaign Period
- Familiarize yourself with the Elections and Plebiscites Act;
- Recruit an Official Agent and a campaign team;
- Plan out your campaign, and develop a budget that will support it;
- Start assembling your campaign material:
- Note: you may spend your own money during this period to prepare for your campaign, but you cannot accept contributions yet;
- Any money you spend during this period will be included in your $30,000 total spending limit for the election;
- Visit the Guides and Forms page to download and review the Nomination Paper (form 2010)
- Start filling out your Nomination Paper, so you will have it 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.
Nomination Period
- Appoint your Official Agent;
- Complete your Nomination Paper;
- Submit your 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 can submit it for you.
Campaign Period
- Provide your Official Agent with the information they need to access the Candidate Portal on your behalf;
- Provide your Official Agent with a statement and receipts for any expenses you incurred during the pre-election period;
- 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 are familiar and compliant 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: Candidates' Financial Reports are due within 60 days of polling day, so 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 in time, ensure they have applied to the Chief Electoral Officer for an extension.