Candidate Information | Town of Taber

Registration for Candidates

Please note that the Local Authorities Election Act requires all municipal candidates to register with the Municipality in which they intend to run before they accept any campaign contributions. The registration form that must be completed and filed with the Municipality before raising funds is available in the Candidate's Package.

Nomination Period

The Nomination Period for the 2025 Municipal Elections will start January 1st, 2025.

If you are considering putting your name forth during the Nomination Period, please contact the Chief Returning Officer to make an appointment for nomination. Packages can be picked up at the Town Administration Office or by calling the Chief Returning Officer, (details to be announced 2025).

Nomination Day

Nomination Day for the Town of Taber municipal election will be announced in 2025.

Qualifications for Candidates

Criteria for Ineligibility

A person is ineligible to become a candidate under any of the following circumstances:

If you are auditor of the municipality
If you are an employee of the Town of Taber, unless granted a leave of abscence
If your property taxes are more than $50 in arrears or you are in default of more than 90 days for any debt in excess of $500 to the municipality
If you have, within the last 10 years, been convicted of an offence under the Local Authorities Election Act, the Election Act, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act or the Canada Elections Act.

Campaign Sign Rules

The Town of Taber Land Use Bylaw outlines the rules for campaign signs.

Any contraventions of the rules will be handled by the Returning Officer. The rules from the Land Use Bylaw Section 2.21.8 are as follows:

Definition: a temporary sign which is used for political advertising and campaigning during a period of a federal, provicial, municipal, school board election, referendum, or plebiscite, and includes information signs used to identify and direct traffic to polling stations.
Maximum Sign Area is 4.5 square metres
Maximum Clear Height: 3.5 metres
Election signs for municipal elections may be erected 30 days prior to the election day and must be removed within three days of the election day
Election signs may not be illuminated or attached to trees
The Town is not required to give notice for the removal of an unlawful election sign.
No person shall deface or willfully cause damage to a lawfully erected election sign.
Election signs may be posted on public property subject to the following conditions:

Signs cannot be placed between the curb and the sidewalk; if there is no sidewalk, signs cannot be placed within 1 metre of the curb or edge of the pavement
Signs cannot be placed within 30 metres of an intersection or pedestrian crossover or be located on a median or island

Election signs may be posted on private property subject to the following conditions:

Signs are posted with the consent of the owner or occupant of the property
Signs may only be higher than 2 metres above ground level provided the signs are displayed indoors

Portable signs may be used as Election Signs, but follow the Election Sign Rules.

Any advertisement, according to Section 148 (5) LAEA, including Election signs, circular, pamphlet or other paper shall NOT be printed or distributed indicating or showing it to be marked for any candidate.

SHOULD CAMPAIGN SIGNS REMAIN POSTED AFTER THE INDICATED TIME FRAME, THE TOWN SHALL DIRECT THE SIGNS BE REMOVED WITH ALL COSTS BEING CHARGED BACK THE CORRESPONDING CANDIDATE.

Advertising on Election Day

Candidate's Nomination Package

Additional Information

Municipal Government Act

Local Authorities Election Act

What are the roles and responsibilities of Council?

The Town of Taber Council fulfills the legislative function of the Town’s municipal government. The Council is responsible for establishing corporate policy and setting the strategic priority of Town staff for both short and long term goals. To learn more about the roles of Council, please visit these links:

Does the Town have a ward system?

Can I use the Town logo and/or crest in my campaign materials?

No. The Town's official logo and crest are copyrighted by the Town of Taber. Those who use the logo without the Town of Taber's express written consent are infringing on the Town's copyright, and this includes campaigners.

All Town of Taber logos, crests, graphic design elements, digital content, and designed visual identifiers are property of the Town of Taber. Unless an authorized party is given express written permission from the Town of Taber, anyone using those elements for private use are infringing on the Town's copyright.

If you see a candidate using the Town of Taber's logo in their materials, please contact the Returning Officer.

Does the Town list election platforms for candidates?

Where can I find election platforms?

Is there going to be an election debate or forum?

Further Resources for Candidates

The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) has compiled a number of resources for potential candidates. Topics range from how to run, media relations, communications, skills needed, and the roles of different elected officials are all covered.

Check out the resources here.

Resources for Women Running for Office

There are a number of resources and initiatives to help remove barriers for women considering entering politics. The resources are available by clicking the links below:

Alberta Urban Municipalities Association

The Alberta Urban Municipalities Association has compiled a number of resources available for women who are considering running for office.

Find the resources available here and additional resources here. You can also view the AUMA's "Women in Municipal Government Hub" here.

Equal Voice

Equal Voice is a national, bilingual, multi-partisan organization dedicated to electing more women to all levels of political office in Canada. See their website and find more resources here. They also have a Campaign School to "equip women with the skills, knowledge, and resources they need to run for political office in Canada."

Federation of Canadian Municipalities

The FCM has a number of resources available for women considering running for local government here.

Ready for Her

Initially prepared for the 2017 election, the Government of Alberta created a number of videos with women in politics, to provide insight and inspiration for other women seeking the same. You can view the playlist of videos here.

Diversity Resources for Candidates

The Town of Taber is providing links to help people of diverse backgrounds who are considering running for office. Diverse candidates are able to provide different perspectives that can assist Councils in making decisions for the whole community.

While these resources are written with citizens from diverse ethnic backgrounds in mind, all candidates are welcome to use the resources, and the Town of Taber encourages every person considering running in the election to avail themselves of the information.

In addition, please note that while a number of the resources are aimed at federal elections, diversity in the workplace, or are general links to information on diversity, the information may be useful for municipal candidates.

Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion

Elections Canada: Electoral Insight – Electoral Participation of Ethnocultural Communities

Operation Black Vote Canada

The Canadian Centre for Gender and Sexual Diversity

Government of Canada: Diversity and Inclusion in the Public Service

CBC Opinion Piece: "Why Diversity Matters in our Politics- And What Can be Done to Support It