Red Deer Elections

• 2025 Candidate Handbook - Mayor and Councillor (pdf)
• 2025 Candidate Handbook - Red Deer Public School (pdf)
• 2025 Candidate Handbook - Red Deer Catholic Separate School Division (pdf)

Election Sign Locations 

The City of Red Deer has a number of designated locations on municipal land that election signs can be placed. Please see the Election Sign Placement Guide online or contact us to obtain a printed copy. 

Be sure to ask permission before putting signs on private land and call Alberta One Call at 1-800-242-3447 before you dig. 

Please be aware that these rules only apply within the city of Red Deer's boundaries. For the placement of election signs within Provincial Highway's rights-of-ways, visit Alberta Transportation's election sign guidelines. 

Bylaws to Note 

These bylaws must be followed for your election advertising: 

• Community Standards Bylaw 3669/2021
• Zoning Bylaw 3357/2006, Section 11.17.3 Election Sign Development Standards 

The applicable sections of these bylaws are included in the Election Sign Placement Guide (pdf).

Election signs are permitted on: 

• private property starting as soon as a candidate files their notice of intent.
• public property starting September 22 – October 20, 2025 (signs must be removed within 48 hours following the election). 

Questions and concerns about the size and placement of election signs can be directed to Inspections and Licensing. 

All candidates (Mayor, Councillor or School Trustee) are responsible for reviewing the relevant sections of the Local Authorities Election Act to ensure they are compliant with all requirements.  

Part 5.1 Election Finances and Contributions Disclosure of the Local Authorities Election Act outlines the requirements for contributions, limitations and acceptance of contributions, anonymous and unauthorized contributions, duties of candidates, fund-raising functions, expense limits, disclosure statements, campaign surplus, late filing, and offences.  

All candidates must declare campaign contributions, expenses, and the resulting surplus or deficit. Disclosure statements are made using the Form 26 - Campaign Disclosure Statement and Financial Statement form which is available at elections.reddeer.ca. Note, there are two different filing deadlines:

• October 1, 2025: for the period of January 1, 2025 to July 31, 2025
• March 2, 2026: for the period of January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025 

To view Contribution and Expense Disclosures from previous elections visit Campaign Contributions and Expenses.

If a candidate’s campaign will be supported by campaign workers, an official agent or scrutineers, the candidate must obtain the proper documentation from the Returning Officer. 

Campaign Workers 

Campaign workers help candidates get elected by calling voters, sending out flyers, advertising (radio, social media, etc.) and they educate the public on candidate’s priorities, what the candidate hopes to accomplish when in office and the qualities that make you the best candidate. 

Official Agent 

Candidates may appoint an official agent when they submit their nomination papers. Candidates are not required to appoint an official agent. An official agent must be an elector who is eligible to vote in the local jurisdiction on election day. The duties of an official agent are those assigned by the candidate. 

Candidate's Scrutineers 

Candidates can appoint scrutineers to observe the election procedures. Scrutineers are permitted to observe all parts of the election and may attend more than one voting station. Scrutineers are not permitted to view or interfere with the process of an elector marking a ballot. Candidates or their official agents can also observe the election process but a candidate can only be represented by one person per voting station. 

Contact the Election Office  at 403-342-8317 or email elections@reddeer.ca to obtain proper documentation for campaign workers, official agent and/or scrutineers.  

A third party advertiser is an individual, corporation or group who advertises to promote or oppose a registered political participant, including taking a position on an issue with which a candidate or a council is associated. 

Register as a Third Party 

Third parties interested in advertising during a municipal and/or school board election or to oppose or promote a candidate, will be required to register with the municipality or school board they intend to advertise in if they have incurred or plan to incur expenses of at least $1,000 for election advertising, or have accepted or plan to accept at least $1,000 in election advertising contributions. 

If a third party advertiser intends on advertising in ten or more municipalities, they can register with Municipal Affairs instead of registering in each individual municipality. For more information contact: 

Municipal Affairs 
Phone: 780-427-2225
Email: ma.lgsmail@gov.ab.ca 

Third Party Advertising Contribution Statement 

Third party advertisers are required to file disclosure statements detailing advertisements, expenses, and contributions received. Third party advertisers are required to know who is eligible to make a contribution, expense limits and all reporting requirements to the municipality. 

Registration of a Third Party and Third Party Advertising Contribution Statement forms will be available at elections.reddeer.ca.  

If you require printed copies, please contact Legislative Services at 403-342-8317 or email elections@reddeer.ca. 

Note: The information on this page is provided for convenience and reference only. Third party advertisers are subject to further requirements as outlined in the Local Authorities Election Act. It is recommended that third party advertisers refer to the Local Authorities Election Act and obtain legal advice, if required, regarding the full extent of their obligations.