Red Deer Elections
Red Deer Elections
Frequently Asked Questions for Candidates
Potential candidates who want to run for office to become Mayor, City Councillor or School Board Trustee must complete a number of steps before they can be added to the ballot.
Campaign Period
The campaign period runs from October 31, 2024 to December 31, 2025.
Candidates may raise funds for their election campaigns during this time after completing their notice of intent.
Nomination Period
The nomination period runs from January 2 to September 22, 2025.
You must complete the nomination process if you wish to run for office. This means completing the required forms, collecting signatures from residents and paying a deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions for Candidates
All frequently asked questions for Candidates.The deadline to complete all necessary paperwork is noon on September 22, 2025. If the position you are running for requires a deposit, it must be paid by this deadline.
Yes. New this year is the requirement for candidates running for Mayor and Councillor to submit a deposit:
| Deposit | |
|---|---|
| Mayor | $100 |
| Councillor | $100 |
| Red Deer Public Schools | $ 0 |
| Red Deer Regional Catholic | $ 0 |
The deposit needs to be submitted at the same time as a candidate’s nomination papers, and can be paid:
- Certified cheque (payable to The City of Red Deer)
- Cash (please do not mail cash)
- Credit Card
- Debit Card
Note: personal cheques are not accepted.
Candidates running for either school board do not need to pay a deposit.
Your deposit will be refunded to you if you’re elected to office, you withdraw your nomination, or you receive at least half of the total number of votes cast for the elected candidate in your contest.
If you’re running for Mayor or Councillor, you will require the following signatures:
- Mayor, 100 signatures
- City Councillor, 50 signatures
- School Board trustees, 5 signatures
We recommend candidates obtain more than the minimum required signatures, as some may be invalid or illegible. Signatures must be from eligible voters within the local jurisdiction you’re running in.
Digital signatures are not accepted, all signatures must be original handwritten.
The Register of Candidates includes prospective candidates who have filed their notice of intent to run but have not completed the nomination process. These individuals can seek and expense campaign contributions, but must complete the nomination process to have their names added to the ballot.
The list of Nominated Candidates includes all candidates who have completed the nomination process and whose names will appear on the ballot. These individuals cannot seek contributions or incur expenses in relation to their campaigns unless they submit their notice of intent to run in the 2025 Red Deer Election.
No. Candidates running for the Red Deer municipal and school boards elections do not need a criminal record check.
No. The City of Red Deer does not share the voters list with candidates.
Election signs can go up on private property at anytime. Be sure to ask permission before putting signs on private land and call Alberta One Call at 1-800-242-3447 before you dig.
Election signs on public property can go up on Nomination Day and must be removed within 48 hours following Election Day. 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 or contact us to obtain a printed copy.