Elections

Municipal Election

The next General Municipal Election will take place on October 20, 2025. Voters will elect nine councillors to govern Big Lakes County for the following four years. The nomination period begins January 1, 2025.

Nominations for the 2025 Municipal Election will open January 1, 2025. Signed nomination forms can be dropped off at the Big Lakes County Administration Office Building Until 12:00 p.m. on Monday, September 22, 2022.

Date	Description
September 22, 2025	Nomination Day. Signed nomination forms can be dropped off at the Big Lakes County Administration Building until 12:00 pm on Monday, Sep 22, 2025.
October 2, 2025	Advanced Voting! Polls are open , 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m
October 20, 2025	Election Day! Polls are open 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Nominations for the 2025 Municipal Election opened January 1, 2025. Signed nomination forms can be dropped off at the Big Lakes County Administration Office Building Until 12:00 p.m. on Monday, September 22, 2022. Printed nomination packages, including the required forms, are available at the Big Lakes County Administration Office in High Prairie. Click here to find an updated list of Unofficial Candidates.

On October 18, 2024, Municipal Affairs proclaimed the Municipal Statutes Amendment Act, which made several amendments to the Local Authorities Elections Act (LAEA) and the Municipal Government Act (MGA). The amendments related to municipal elections came into effect on October 31, 2024.

Councillor Training: Orientation training is now mandatory.

Electors Register: Municipalities must create a Permanent Electors Register in partnership with Elections Alberta. All voters must be on a permanent Electors Registry. To register to vote or check to see if you are registered to vote, visit Voterlink – Home

Nomination Period: Extended from Jan. 1 to Nomination Day (Sept. 22, 2025 at 12:00 p.m.).

Nomination Form & Package

Printed nomination packages, including the required forms, are available at the Big Lakes County Administration Office in High Prairie:

Nomination Form Nomination Package Notice of Intent Campaign Disclosure Statement

Muncipal Elections Webinar

Are you ready to make a difference in your community? If you’re considering running for local council in a rural Alberta municipality, this is the perfect opportunity for you! Alberta Municipalities (ABmunis) and Rural Municipalities of Alberta (RMA) are hosting a webinar to help you prepare for this year’s election.

Learn more here: Municipal Election Webinar – Rural Municipal District and Counties | Alberta Municipalities

Who Can Run?

To become a municipal candidate you must be:

at least 18 years of age on nomination day, September 22, 2025
a Canadian Citizen
a resident of the ward for the 6 consecutive months receding nomination day, which is September 22, 2025

for specific eligibility and ineligibility descriptions for candidates, refer to sections 21 and 22 of the Local Authorizes Elections Act. L21.pdf

Who Cannot Run?

You are not eligible to become a candidate if any of the following apply to you:

you are the auditor of the municipality
you are an employee of the municipality, unless you have taken a leave of absence
your current property taxes are more than $50 in arrears
you are in default for any other debt to the municipality in excess of $500 for more than 90 days
you have been convicted of any offence under the Local Authorities Election Act or the Canada Elections Act in the previous 10 years.

For specific eligibility and ineligibility descriptions for candidates, refer to sections 21 and 22 of the Local Authorities Election Act. L21.pdf

Determining Residency

If you own more than one residence, you must choose ONE as your official place of residence (Local Authorities Election Act, section 48). Your place of residence should be determined by the following criteria in order of priority:

(a) the address shown on the person’s driver’s license or motor vehicle operator’s license issued by or on behalf of the Government of Alberta or an identification card issued by or on behalf of the Government of Alberta;

(b) the address to which the person’s income tax correspondence is addressed and delivered;

Who Can Nominate You?

You must have your Nomination Paper signed by at least five (5) electors eligible to vote in this election. In order to be eligible to vote you must be:

a resident within your ward on the day they sign the Nomination Paper;
18 years of age; and
a Canadian citizen.

Digital signatures are not accepted.

Withdrawal of Nomination

A person nominated as a candidate may withdraw as a candidate at any time during the nomination period. Or at any time within 24 hours after September 22, 2025, at noon (12 pm). Withdrawals must be done in writing to the Returning Officer.

Insufficient Nominations

As per section 31 of the Local Authorities Election Act: L21.pdf

(1) If the number of persons nominated for any office is less than the number required to be elected, the time for receipt of nominations

(a) shall stand adjourned to the next day at the same place at the hour of 10 a.m. and shall remain open until 12 noon for the purpose of receiving further nominations for the office, and

(b) shall continue to remain open and be adjourned in the same manner from day to day until a period of 6 days, including nomination day but not including Saturday, Sunday and holidays, as defined in the Interpretation Act, has elapsed.

Use of Big Lakes County Logo

The Big Lakes County logo is not allowed to be used by candidate on any displays, such as advertisements, handbills, place cards, posters, circulars, pamphlets, newspapers or other materials.

All voters must be on a permanent Electors Registry. To register to vote or check to see if you are registered to vote, visit https://www.voterlink.ab.ca/

Who Can Vote

you are eligible to vote in the Municipal Election if, on Election Day, you:

Are at least 18 years old
Are a Canadian citizen
Are a resident on Election Day:
- Of the ward, to vote for Councillor; and
Provide one of the authorized pieces of identification. ID requirements for a municipal election are different than provincial and federal elections. Make sure you know what is accepted in order to vote.

For more information, please visit: Voter Identification Requirements Voter-ID-poster.pdf

Advanced Voting

Advanced voting is when you cast your ballot before Election Day. Big Lakes County will be offering one advanced voting date: October 2, 2025, 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m.

Advanced Voting Locations

Faust Community Gathering Place

Ward 4 – Kinuso
Ward 5 – Faust

Big Lakes County Administration Building

Ward 1 – Heart River/ Salt Prairie
Ward 2 – Grouard
Ward 3 – Gilwood North/Triangle
Ward 6 – Joussard
Ward 7 – Enilda/ Big Meadow
Ward 8 – Banana Belt/ HP East
Ward 9 – Sunset House/ Gilwood

Where Do I Vote On Election Day

Election Day Voting Stations
Ward 1 – Heart River/ Salt Prairie	Prairie Echo Community Hall
Ward 2 – Grouard	Grouard Fire Hall
Ward 3 – Gilwood North/ Triangle	Pioneer Thresherman’s Hall (Triangle Hall)
Ward 4 – Kinuso	Kinuso Seniors Hall
Ward 5 – Faust	Faust Community Gathering Place
Ward 6 – Joussard	Joussard Community Hall
Ward 7 – Enilda/ Big Meadow	Enilda W.I. Community Hall
Ward 8 – Banana Belt/ High Prairie East	Big Lakes County Administration Building
Ward 9 – Sunset House/ Gilwood South	Pioneer Thresherman’s Hall (Triangle Hall)

Please note, that should any division have only one candidate and be acclaimed, there will be no vote for a municipal Councillor at the above noted locations.

Ward Map