Municipal Election 2025
The next General Municipal Election is Monday, October 20, 2025.
Nomination Period is January 2 to September 22, 2025
Important Dates
- Nomination Period Opens—January 1, 2025
- Six Month Residency Deadline—March 22, 2025
- Advertising Period Opens—May 1, 2025
- Prospective Candidate Information Session—Monday, August 25, 2025
- Nomination Period Closes—September 22, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.
- Advanced Poll—Saturday, October 4, 2025 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. (Didsbury Memorial Complex 1702 21 Ave.)
- Advanced Poll—Thursday, October 9, 2025 12:00 to 7:00 pm. (Didsbury Memorial Complex 1702 21 Ave.)
- Election Day—October 20, 2025 (Didsbury Memorial Complex 1702 21 Ave.)
- Organizational Meeting—October 28, 2025 6:00 p.m.
Voters
Why Vote?
Every Canadian citizen has the right to vote. It is how Canadians choose which leaders represent them. Your community is shaped by the outcome of an election. Voting connects citizens with the political process and, when you take part in an election and express your view, you make democracy work.
Register to Vote
All voters must be on the permanent Electors Registry. Voters are encouraged to register in advance to speed up the voting process at the polling station. Go to voterlink.ab.ca to register to vote or confirm your information is correct.
You may also register by phone: 310-0000 then dial 780-427-7191
If you are not registered ahead of time, electors will be required to register in person at the polling station and will be required to sign a declaration.
To vote, a voter must prove their identity and address. You can prove your identity by:
- Producing government issued identification containing the elector’s photograph, current address and name.
- Someone who knows you can vouch for your address only.
Candidates
The Town of Didsbury Council fulfills the legislative function of the Town’s municipal government. Council is responsible for establishing corporate policy and direction for both the short and long term. Council also sets the strategic priorities for Town staff on an annual basis. Town Council consists of one Mayor and six Councillors, who are elected by the residents of Didsbury every four years.
Are you thinking of Running in the 2025 Municipal Election?
The Local Authorities Election Act (LAEA) governs elections for Alberta’s local jurisdictions, including Town of Didsbury Council. Prospective candidates should refer to the LAEA for complete details on the nomination process and obtain legal advice regarding the full extent of their obligations.
In the Town of Didsbury, you may become a candidate for:
Information and Training for Potential Candidates
There are some great videos available for prospective candidates. SEE HERE
ABmunis and RMA are hosting a series of webinars throughout 2025 for potential candidates interested in municipal service. These sessions will provide valuable insights into the responsibilities, daily operations, and community impact of serving in local government.
Small to Midsize Municipalities
Resources
- Town of Didsbury 2025 Candidate Information Package (PDF of Didsbury-specific information)
- A Candidate's Guide: Running for Local Elected Office in Alberta
- Running For Municipal Office (An online resource including videos and webinars created through a cooperative effort between ABmunis and the Rural Municipalities of Alberta)
Check your eligibility
Who can be a candidate
All candidates must be eligible to vote and:
- Have been a resident of the local jurisdiction for the six months leading up to Nomination Day.
- Not otherwise be ineligible or disqualified.
More information about candidate eligibility is outlined in the Local Authorities Election Act.
Who can not be a candidate
You can not be a candidate if, on Nomination Day, you:
- Are an employee of the Office of the Ombudsman who has not taken a leave of absence
- Are an auditor of the local jurisdiction where you are running
- Are an employee of The Town of Didsbury who is running for Council and who has not taken a leave of absence
- Are in default to The Town of Didsbury more than $50 in taxes in arrears (does not include current taxes or a consolidation agreement in good standing)
- Owe The Town of Didsbury $500 or more and in default for more than 90 days
- Have been convicted of an offence in the last 10 years under the Local Authorities Election Act, the Election Act, the Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure Act or the Canada Elections Act (federal)
- Have been convicted of an offense that is punishable by imprisonment for five or more years
- Have been convicted of an offense under Section 123, 124, or 125 of the Criminal Code of Canada
- Are serving an ineligibility period due to your name appearing in a non-compliance report to Council
- Accept or spend an anonymous or unauthorized contribution after submitting an intent to run notice
For any questions, or to submit forms:
Returning Officer
Jocelyn Baxter
403-335-7734
jbaxter@didsbury.ca or elections@didsbury.ca
Notice of intent to be nominated
Notice Requirement
Individuals who intend to incur campaign expenses or receive campaign contributions in anticipation of being nominated as a candidate are required to file a notice.
No individual may accept any contribution or incur any campaign expense unless that individual has given the notice of intent to run to the Returning Officer.
Candidates are highly encouraged to review the campaign financing, fundraising, and expense related provision of the Local Authorities Election Act and the Expense Limits Regulation to ensure compliance.
If you intend to incur campaign expenses or receive campaign contributions in anticipation of being nominated as a candidate, please fill out the Notice of Intent form below, and return to:
Returning Officer, Jocelyn Baxter
- jbaxter@didsbury.ca or elections@didsbury.ca
- In person at the Town of Didsbury Office at 1606 14 Street or
- By mail: Box 790 Didsbury, AB T0M 0W0
File your nomination
Requirements
Nomination papers will be accepted at the Town of Didsbury Office at1606-14 Street between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. until Nomination Day September 22, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. (noon)
The following items are required for your nomination to be complete:
Nomination forms must be:
- Submitted on the correct Nomination form (above)
- Signed by at least five eligible electors
- Submitted with a sworn affidavit stating that they are eligible
- Filed with the $100 nomination deposit paid by cash, certified cheque or money order payable to the Town of Didsbury
- Submitted with the full name and contact information of the candidate
- Submitted with the address of the place where records of the candidate are maintained and to which communications can be addressed
- Submitted with the name and address of the financial institutions to be used by or on behalf of the candidate for the candidate’s campaign account, if applicable
- Submitted with the names of the signing authorities for each account
Return completed forms to:
- elections@didsbury.ca or
- The Town of Didsbury Office at 1606 14 Street or
- Box 790 Didsbury, AB T0M 0W0
Additional Information
Advertising and Signage
USE OF THE TOWN OF DIDSBURY LOGO(S) ON CAMPAIGN ADVERTISING MATERIAL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED
The regulations pertaining to placement of election signs is governed by Town of Didsbury Land Use Bylaw 2019-04. No development permit is required if the sign meets the standards as follows:
- Signage is permitted in the Residential, Commercial, Industrial, and Special Districts
- The maximum sign dimensions are: 2.0 square metre sign area; 1.5 metre sign height
- Signs must be erected no earlier than August 21, 2025 and shall be removed 24 hours after the election
- Signs shall not be placed on any centre median or in any location that affects traffic safety or visibility and signs cannot be illuminated
Third party advertising is the transmission of advertised material outside of a candidate’s campaign that expresses the support or opposition to a candidate or question with the objective of persuading electors to vote in a certain way. This form of advertisement must be separate from a individual’s campaign; any materials or advertisements that are made by or under the direction of the candidate are a part of the candidate’s campaign.
Third Party Advertisers are highly encouraged to review the Third Party Adverting provisions of the Local Authorities Election Act and the Expense Limits Regulation to ensure compliance.
Withdrawal of Nomination
The last day to formally withdraw is noon on Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025. After this date, your name will appear on the ballot. From there, you are responsible for informing voters of your withdrawal.
To withdraw your nomination, you must submit a written statement to the Returning Officer. Withdrawals will not be accepted if you have been declared elected by acclamation.
Withdrawal notices are final. If you withdraw, then change your mind, you must submit a new nomination.
A written withdrawal statement can be submitted in one of the following ways:
Email: elections@didsbury.ca
Mail:
Town of Didsbury
Attn: Returning Officer, Jocelyn Baxter
Box 790
Didsbury, Alberta T0M 0W0
In-person: Didsbury Town Office at 1606 14 Street
Additional Forms
- Form 11 - Candidate or official Agent Proof of Identification
- Form 12 - Campaign Worker Proof of Identification
- Form 26 - Campaign Disclosure Statement
- Form 27 - Registration of a Third party
Candidate Package
A package of information for candidates is available here:
