2024 Municipal Election

Voting Procedures
Voting in this election can only be done over the phone or online. Advanced voting starts 9:00am on October 10th and the voting period ends on Election Day, October 19th at 7:00 pm You can vote anytime during the advance voting period. Residents who are uncomfortable or unable 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
Residents who meet all the following conditions qualify to vote in municipal elections:

• Residency: You have been a resident in Nova Scotia for six (6) months immediately before the first advanced polling day and you have been a resident of the Town of Mahone Bay since immediately before the first advanced polling day.
• Age: You are 18 years of age or older on the first advanced polling day.
• Citizenship: You are a Canadian citizen on the first advanced polling day.

In addition to meeting residency, age and citizenship requirements, residents must not otherwise be disqualified to vote in municipal and/or school board 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.

The list of electors is currently being revised. Every household is being asked to complete this form and return it to the Town of Mahone Bay using the instructions on the form. If you have not received this form in the mail, please contact the Revising Officer at 902-624-8327 or pick up a copy at Town Hall.

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.

Conseil Scolaire Acadien Provincial (CSAP) elections
To vote in school board elections, residents must meet the basic voter qualifications (outlined above) and be an "Entitled Parent" or "Entitled Person" who meets one of the following conditions:

• Your first language learned and still understood is French;
• You received your primary school instruction in Canada, in a French-first-language program; and/or
• Any of your children have received, or are receiving, primary or secondary-school instruction in Canada in a French-first-language program (note that a French immersion program is not a French-first-language program).

You must confirm your status as an Entitled Parent or Entitled Person by requesting a ballot for the election of the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial.

Are you interested in running in the 2024 Town of Mahone Bay Election? The 2024 Prospective Candidates Handbook has information about how to run as a candidate for Mayor, council, or CSAP. Click here to access the Handbook.

Becoming a Candidate in the Municipal Election
For detailed information about how to become a candidate, clickhere.

To Run as a Candidate, You Must Be:

• 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 (March 10, 2024) 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, Brendan Wright (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 Aug. 19, 2024, contact the Assistant Returning Officer, Brendan Wright (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 Aug. 29 and Sept. 9, 2024.

Walk-in appointments will be accepted on Sept. 10 during regular business hours. This is the final day to file nomination papers to run in the 2024 Election.

To submit your nomination papers, you can download the Nominations 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 (Sept. 10, 2024).

• Make an in-person appointment to file your nomination.
• Have valid photo identification.
• Have a Certificate of Taxes and Liens.
• Have all relevant completed forms completed, including having five qualified electors sign your nomination paper (FORM 11).
• Have a $200 filing fee/deposit.

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

Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) elections
Under the Education (CSAP) Act [s. 46 (1)], a candidate can be elected as a school board member if they meet the following criteria:

• They are a Canadian citizen and at least 18 years old at the time of nomination.
• They have lived in the school region for at least 6 months before nomination day and continue to live there.
• They are not disqualified under the Education (CSAP) Act.

In addition to the general qualifications, a CSAP candidate must be an "entitled parent" or "entitled person" as defined in sections 3 (1)(h), (i), and (t) of the Education (CSAP) Act.

Nomination packages for the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) elections are available by contacting the South Shore CSAP Returning Officer

To file CSAP election nomination papers, you must make an appointment with the South Shore CSAP Returning Officer. Contact them at elections@modl.ca or by phone at (902) 527-8151. Nominations for the CSAP election are also due by Sept. 10.

For questions about the CSAP elections, reach out to the South Shore CSAP Returning Officer at elections@modl.ca or by phone at (902) 527-8151.