Elections

Municipal Elections Information

The West Hants Regional Municipality (WHRM), along with all other Nova Scotia municipalities will hold its Municipal and Conseil scolaire acadien provincial (CSAP) elections in October 2024. 

WHRM eligible electors will be voting to elect one (1) Mayor at-large and eleven (11) Councillors (one per district). 

There are eleven (11) districts in total. Voters will be electing a Mayor, as well as a Councillor in the District where they live. The terms for the Mayor and Councillors are four years. Eligible residents will also be able to choose a member of the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial.

 

 

Important Dates

  • August 29, 2024 - First Day to book Nomination Appointments
  • September 10, 2024 - Nominations must be completed
  • October 10, 2024 - First Advance Poll Day 
  • October 15, 2024 - Second Advance Poll Day
  • October 19, 2024 - Ordinary Polling Day

 

Did you know?

Municipal Council is elected by the residents of the Municipality to make decisions about municipal services, by-laws, policies, and programs. These have a direct impact on people who live and work in the Municipality, and those who have businesses here. The cost for providing services is covered by the income from property taxes. Council approves the budget every year and sets the property tax rates.

 

Are you interested in running for the West Hants Regional Municipality’s Regional Council? Contact the Election Office by phone (902-790-1209) or by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

Are you interested in running for the Conseil scolaire acadien provincial’s (CSAP) school board membership? Contact Al Kingsbury by phone (902-680-8656) or by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).

 

Who can run in a municipal election?

If you are interested in running in the 2024 municipal election, there are a few criteria you need to meet to qualify; these criteria are set by both the Municipal Elections Act (MEA) and Education (CSAP) Act.

 

To run as a candidate, you must be:

  • 18 years of age at the time of nomination;
  • a Canadian citizen; and
  • ordinarily a resident in the West Hants Regional Municipality for six months preceding nomination day (March 10, 2024) and continue to so reside.

*You do not need to live in the polling district that you’re running in if you meet the residency requirement of having lived for at least six months within the municipality*

*Current employees of the municipality are not eligible to run for Council. For a complete list of disqualifications, consult section 18 of the Municipal Elections Act (MEA) and section 46 of the Education (CSAP) Act*

Once you have determined you are eligible to serve, you can appoint your official agent or choose to serve as your own official agent.

 

To be eligible to run as a CSAP representative or to vote in the CSAP election, you must meet one of the following additional qualifications:

  • first language learned and still understood is French, or
  • received their primary school instruction in Canada in a French-first-language program, or
  • parent of any child who has received or is receiving primary or secondary school instruction in Canada in a French first-language program.

 

                                                             

General WHRM Municipal Election Info

  • Returning Officer - Debra Fitzpatrick
  • Eligible electors will have greater opportunity to cast their ballots in October 2024. Council supported a "hybrid" voting method, meaning that eligible electors can either vote by:
    • the traditional paper ballot at their respective polling station vote by paper ballots (October 10th and October 15th) and Ordinary Poll day (October 19th) OR
    • electronically (by internet OR telephone) from any location at anytime from October 10th at noon through October 19th, 7:00 p.m. 

 

Interested in being a canidate? Check out these helpful tips!

Candidates Guides to the 2024 Municipal and School Board Elections 

Introduction to Municipal Government and FAQ's

How to run an election campaign