No additional candidates submitted their nomination papers in person today, as Sept. 22 marked the official start to Calgary’s municipal election campaign period.
Candidates had until noon on Monday to submit all their appropriate paperwork and a deposit to be eligible to appear on the ballot for the Oct. 20 election.
Elections Calgary confirmed Monday afternoon that no in-person nomination papers were submitted during the Monday window. In total, there are nine contenders for mayor, 73 for councillor, 31 for public school trustee and 13 for separate school trustee. A current list of candidates and their corresponding information can be found here.
Candidates now have until noon on Sept. 23 to withdraw their nomination. An official list will be published on Tuesday afternoon.
“No nomination papers were submitted to Elections Calgary this morning,” said Kate Martin, Returning Officer.
“I attribute that to the amount of time and effort we dedicated to supporting candidates with information throughout the nomination period. The many months of preparations and planning, and the opportunity for candidates to file nomination papers starting in January 2025, contributed to how today proceeded.”
By contrast, in Calgary’s 2021 election, there were 27 candidates for mayor and 100 for Calgary city council.
Earlier in the day, media had gathered outside the Elections Calgary office, waiting for candidates to arrive. In past years, before the 2021 election, it was often a who’s-who of candidates as they submitted their papers and sought out a snippet of media coverage. Not so this year, with there being only between 15 and 20 candidates who hadn’t submitted their papers in advance of the Sept. 22 nomination day.
Candidates had to submit a nomination form with required signatures, a deposit ($100 for councillors, $500 for mayor), and an accompanying criminal record check.
Calgary’s municipal election goes on Oct. 20.
