Emily Plihal
Local Journalism
Initiative Reporter
Peace River town council gave its second and third reading for Election Bylaw No. 2166 at its regular meeting on Dec. 9.
Council gave first reading to the bylaw on Nov. 25, with amendments being requested to be included in the bylaw, including increasing the deposit amount to accompany nomination papers from $25 to $50 and incorporating language from Bylaw No. 2092 to allow ballots to be printed in lots in accordance with Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA).
“The Province has changed some of the possible conditions that municipalities can put in place for candidates and there are regular decisions that councils need to make before elections such as any deposit for nomination papers, whether ballots need to be printed in lots, special ballots,” explains Mayor Elaine Manzer on the election bylaw changes.
“Nomination days for the 2025 municipal election open on Jan. 2, 2025, and the Town needs to be prepared before Dec. 31, 2024, for that election and what rules candidates need to be aware of when they are running for the election.”
The next municipal election is set to be held on Oct. 20, 2025, and Manzer says the Province regularly reviews the LAEA before elections.
Manzer says council is trying to do due diligence for its voters, noting that some items are being added to ensure the safety of the community.
“Peace River council has decided to require a simple criminal record check without the inclusion of a vulnerable sector check,” she says. “It provides some up front transparency.”
Manzer says the deposit required by candidates is to in part ensure the candidate has serious intent to run in the election. The deposit is returned under certain conditions.
“Council has included special ballots in the election,” says Manzer. “People need to apply and follow a process to receive special ballots in a timely fashion and also return the ballot on the deadlines indicated in the Election Bylaw.
“The special ballot is intended for electors who are residents of Peace River and not able to vote in advanced polls or in person on election day,” she adds.
Elector assistance will also be available at people’s homes again, an assistance that Manzer says council felt was important to provide.
“It is not new but it is a decision at each election and is not one that council has approved for the next election as there will be some institutional voting and special ballots allowed,” she explains.