2026 Municipal Election

Voting Procedures
Voting in this election can only be done over the phone or online. Advanced voting starts 9:00am on February 5th, 2026 and the voting period ends on Election Day, February 14th, 2026 at 7:00 pm You can vote anytime during the advance voting period. Residents who are without access to alternative voting methods can visit Town Hall during regular business hours (Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 4:00 pm) for assistance with the voting process.

Voting Eligibility
To be registered on the list of electors and to vote in a municipal election, a resident must:

• be 18 years or older and a Canadian citizen on or before Polling Day
• be ordinarily resident in the Town of Mahone Bay on Polling Day
• have been Ordinarily Resident in Nova Scotia on or before Aug 14, 2025

In addition to meeting residency, age and citizenship requirements, residents must not otherwise be disqualified to vote in municipal elections. You are considered a disqualified person for the purpose of the municipal election if you are:

• a person serving a sentence in a penal or reform institution; and/or
• a person who has been convicted of bribery under the Municipal Elections Act, in the six (6) years before the ordinary polling day.

Student Voters
Students who meet basic voting eligibility are considered residents of either where their family home is located or where they are attending school, but not both. All residents can only vote in one municipal election in Nova Scotia.

Are you interested in running in the 2026 Town of Mahone Bay Special Election? The Prospective Candidates Handbook has information about how to run as a candidate for councillor. Click here to access the Handbook.
 
Becoming a Candidate in the Municipal Election
For detailed information about how to become a candidate, see our Becoming a Candidate guide.
 

To Run as a Candidate, You Must Be:

• At least 18 years of age at the time of nomination;
• A Canadian citizen; and
• Ordinarily resident, which means you must have lived in the Mahone Bay for six months before nomination day (July 20, 2025) and continue to live there.

Preparing for Nomination
If you meet all candidate requirements, you can either appoint an official agent or declare yourself as your own official agent.
 
The official agent is responsible for managing all campaign contributions and opening a dedicated bank account. It is recommended to appoint an official agent before accepting any contributions.

You can appoint your official agent before the nomination period. To do this, schedule an appointment with the Assistant Returning Officer, Clare Blyth (election@townofmahonebay.ca) and submit Form 17. At the appointment, your official agent must be present to swear or affirm an oath.

Filing Your Nomination Papers
Beginning January 9, 2026, contact the Assistant Returning Officer at election@townofmahonebay.ca to make an in-person appointment to file your nomination papers.
 
Appointments will be available during regular business hours (9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) between January 9 and January 19 2026. Walk-in appointments will be accepted on January 20 2026 during regular business hours. This is the final day to file nomination papers to run in the 2026 Special Election.
 
To submit your nomination papers, you can download the Nomination Package here or request a printed copy by emailing election@townofmahonebay.ca
 
Making Your Candidacy Official Checklist
All candidate forms must be completed and submitted to the Assistant Returning Officer by nomination day (Jan 20, 2026).

• Make a $200 filing fee deposit
• Receive a Certificate of Taxes and Liens
• Have valid photo identification.
• Make sure you are on the List of Electors
• Have all relevant completed forms completed, including having five qualified electors sign your nomination paper (FORM 11).

Once you file your nomination paper, your candidacy information becomes public.