Nomination checklist and forms
Nomination forms
All candidates are required to complete the following three forms to Elections Calgary.
1a. Form 4 Nomination Paper and Candidate’s Acceptance forms
Use the form appropriate for candidate type.
1b. Supplemental form to collect signatures (optional)
Elections Calgary has provided a supplemental Form #4 to assist in safely collecting nomination signatures during COVID-19. This is an optional form.
The supplemental form can be completed by candidates with their candidate information and then be dropped off or emailed to households for the purpose of collecting original signatures.
Candidates would ask supporters to print, sign and leave the supplemental form in their mailbox for collection by the candidate, official agent or a campaign worker.
Original signatures only. Form #4 does not permit digital signatures or scanned forms.
Supplemental forms must be submitted to Elections Calgary with a completed Form #4 which includes the candidate’s acceptance portion.
- Form 4 Nomination for Mayor Supplemental
- Form 4 Nomination for Councillor Supplemental
- Form 4 Nomination for Public School Trustee Supplemental
- Form 4 Nomination for Separate School Trustee Supplemental
Nomination checklist
Nomination checklist for candidates (print version)
Complete required forms.
- Ensure you have completed Form 4, Form 5 and the Candidate/Official Agent Consent to be Contacted Form.
- Form 4 must be signed by:
- A Commissioner of Oaths or Notary Public for Alberta, or
- The Returning Officer or delegate (available in person, by appointment only)
- Form 5 should include campaign banking information. Do not use personal banking information.
Review campaign finance obligations
- Review new requirements for 2021.
- Obtain your own legal advice.
- For a brief summary, go to Campaign finances
Obtain the required number of signatures.
- Persons signing a candidate’s nomination paper must be eligible elector (i.e. 18 years of age, Canadian citizen and resides in Alberta and the person’s place of residence is located in the local jurisdiction on Election Day).
- For councillor and school board candidates, signatures must be from residents in the ward you wish to represent.
- Original hand-written signatures are required. Digital signatures are not accepted.
- For mayor and councillor candidates, a minimum of 100 signatures is required.
- For school board trustee candidates, a minimum of 25 signatures is required.
- It is advisable to have more than the minimum required number of electors sign the form in case one or more signatures are not eligible to nominate.
- Elections Calgary does not verify the information on the nomination papers. It does confirm if there is are a sufficient number of nominating electors (i.e. 100 for council offices or 25 for school board offices) who have provided a name, identifiable street address and signature.
- Provided that an identifiable street address has been included, Elections Calgary counts electors even if they have not included “Calgary,” “Calgary, Alberta,” “Calgary, Alberta Canada,” or a postal code. An elector who has indicated that their address is the same as the preceding elector on the form is also counted.
- Elections Calgary does not count electors who have not provided a name, identifiable street address, and/or signature. The intent of the legislation is for the elector to provide sufficient information for their identity and street address to be discerned, if the candidate’s nomination is challenged.
Provide a deposit.
- $500 for mayoral candidates.
- $100 for councillors and school board trustees.
- Deposit must be in the form of cash, certified cheque or money order, debit or credit card*. Personal cheques are not accepted. Do not send cash deposits in the mail.
* COVID-19 update: Ministerial order no. MSD: 103/20 (PDF) allows deposits to be provided to the returning officer by in-person payments using a debit card or credit card. This modification is in effect only for the 2021 general election year.
File your nomination forms with Elections Calgary.
All candidates must provide Form 4, Form 5 and the Candidate/Official Agent Consent to be Contacted Form completed in full, with the appropriate deposit to Elections Calgary before noon on September 20, 2021.
Nomination papers can be filed in person by appointment, by mail or courier, or by secure 24 hour drop box. For more information see submit your nomination papers.
Candidate resources
New for 2021. All candidates resources will be available electronically only. There is no physical candidate package for pick up. For a list of available resources, visit Candidate resources, maps and legislation.
Additional information
When is the deposit returned?
A candidate’s deposit shall be returned, if:
- The candidate is declared elected by acclamation;
- The candidate is declared elected in the official results of the election;
- The candidate receives at least one half of the votes cast for the candidate elected with the least number of votes. For example, half of the number of valid ballots cast for the councillor or the public or separate school trustee, who received the fewest number of votes out of all those elected to that office. All candidates for that office who receive more votes than the half are entitled to a deposit return; and
- The candidate dies before the close of voting stations on Election Day, the deposit is returned to the estate.
All refunds are from The City of Calgary. If acclaimed, the refund is sent about two weeks after Nomination Day. All other refunds are sent about two weeks after the declaration of the official election results, noon on October 22, 2021.
Withdrawal of nomination
Candidate may withdraw their nomination at any point during nomination period (sec. 32(1)).
Once a candidate withdraws, they must file a finance disclosure for that campaign (sec. 147.4(5))
The withdrawal must be filed in writing with the Returning Officer before 12 p.m. (noon) on Tuesday, September 21, 2021.
Statement of withdrawal by candidate form
Withdrawals are not accepted if the candidate has been declared elected by acclamation.
After September 21, a candidate’s name will appear on the ballot. There are no formal withdrawals after this point. If candidates no longer want to run for office, they must take steps to inform the electors. The name remains on the ballot.
Withdrawal notices are final.
Once a candidate has submitted a withdrawal notice, the withdrawal is considered final. The deposit will be returned, and they must file disclosure statements for the period they were a candidate. Any campaign surpluses must be handled according to the LAEA section 147.5 and any campaign deficit must be handled as per LAEA section 147.52.
If the individual changes their mind and wishes to be a candidate again, they must file new nomination papers. This includes providing a deposit, collecting signatures and new nomination forms. Campaign funds cannot be transferred.
Examination of nomination papers
All nomination papers filed with the Returning Officer can be viewed during office hours (8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.). The viewing is observed by the Returning Officer at the Elections Calgary office. Copies are not permitted.
Please contact Elections Calgary to make an appointment to view nomination papers. Call (403) 476-4100 or email elections@calgary.ca
Acclamation
If a candidate is elected by acclamation, the Returning Officer declares the person to be elected following the close of nominations on September 21, 2021.
Note: The information on this website is provided for the convenience of reference only. Candidates are subject to further requirements in the Local Authorities Election Act. Candidates are advised to refer to the LAEA and obtain legal advice regarding the full extent of their obligations.
