The Town of Lunenburg is having a special election on Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023. This special election is currently being held to fill the vacancy of the mayor’s position.
If a current councillor files their nomination papers for the mayor’s position, then they must vacate their councillor seat. If this happens then the special election will be held to fill both the mayor’s vacancy and the councillor’s vacancy. Updates on this will be provided as soon as available. The information provided below includes information for both the mayor’s vacancy and a possible councillor vacancy.
For general information about the Town of Lunenburg Council, key election dates for candidates, the nomination process and more, download the pdf TOL Prospective Candidates’ Handbook (2.12 MB) . You can also download the Municipal Affairs Candidate’s Guide from the 2020 Regular Election.
You may also contact the Returning Officer to request physical copies of both documents and ask any questions.
Returning Officer:
Kayla Byrne
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 902-634-4410 x 240.
Candidate requirements
To be a candidate in any municipal election, you must be:
- 18 years of age at the time of nomination
- A Canadian citizen
- Ordinarily resident in the Town of Lunenburg for six months preceding nomination day, and continue to reside in Town.
Ordinarily resident: A person is not ordinarily resident in a seasonal dwelling generally only occupied between May and October unless the person has no other dwelling place. A person can be ordinarily resident only in one place at a time.
The Paperwork
All candidates must either appoint an official agent or file a declaration that you’ll be acting as your own official agent. The official agent must keep track of any campaign contributions and open a separate bank account for this purpose. You should appoint your agent before you begin to accept any campaign contributions. Your contribution forms will be made public and posted to the municipal website.
To qualify for nomination to Council, you must ensure that all municipal charges that are taxes and liens that are due have been fully paid. A Certificate of Taxes and Liens from the Town of Lunenburg must be included with your nomination papers. Please note it could take up to one week to receive this certificate. To request a certificate, please contact the Returning Officer.
To officially become a candidate for the 2023 special election you must complete your nomination forms and make an appointment with the Returning Officer during regular business hours as listed below.
Nomination forms can be downloaded here:
pdf
2023 Candidates Forms Package
(340 KB)
or by contacting the Returning Officer.
Mayor
Nomination forms for office of the Mayor can only be filed on the following dates:
July 10, 11, 12 & July 13 from 8:30 am – 4 pm.
Nomination forms for office of the Mayor must be filed with the Returning Officer by July 13, 2023 at 4 p.m.
Please make an appointment with the Returning Officer to file your papers.
Councillor *if applicable
Nomination forms for office of a councillor can only be filed on the following dates:
July 14, 17 & 18 from 8:30 – 4pm.
Nomination forms for office of a councillor must be filed with the Returning Officer by July 18, 2023 at 4 p.m.
Please make an appointment with the Returning Officer to file your papers.
Deposit
Candidates must pay a $200 deposit to file their nomination paper.
A full refund will be given to the candidate who was elected or who polled at least half of the number of votes polled by the successful candidate, provided that the candidate removes all their advertising materials, returns or destroys the voter’s list, and completes and returns FORM 12.
Half of the deposit will be issued to a candidate who polled less than half of the number of votes polled by the successful candidate, provided that the candidate removes all their advertising materials, returns or destroys the voter’s list, and completes and returns FORM 12.