There are many similarities between how citizens can become candidates in a provincial election.
Next scheduled provincial election in Alberta - October 18, 2027.
There are some recent changes to terminology and it is important that we understand them and are able to use them interchangeably.
Poll/vote
polling day/election day
advanced voting place - a location where people can vote prior to the actual election day
campaign period- the time period that parties can share information on what their party's platform is and how they believe they can benefit their constituency. This period starts on the announcement of the election up to 2 months after an election.
candidate - a person who is endorsed by a political party for an electoral division or has declared as an independent candidate in an electoral division
constituencies - an electoral division that allows citizens to vote for an elected representative at the provincial or federal level.
election day - the day set for voting during an election
election officers - the Returning Officer and Election Clerk organize the election process in a division.
electoral division - an area in Alberta established that people can vote on a person to represent them in the Alberta Legislature
electorates - group of qualified voters
independent candidate - a person who is not affiliated with any party but qualifies to run as a candidate in the election
list of electors - a list of people who can vote in an election
Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) - A person who won the election in their division and is representing these people in the Alberta Legislature
political party - a group of individuals who have similar ideas of how to govern.
Alberta Political Parties - This is not the complete list of parties.
Alberta Liberal Party (LIB)
Alberta New Democratic Party (NDP)
Alberta Party (AP)
Green Party of Alberta (GPA)
United Conservative Party of Alberta (UCP)
Step 1: Are you eligible?
You are eligible if you are:
a Canadian citizen
18 years or older on Election Day
A resident of Alberta for 6 months before the election
You are ineligible if you are:
an inmate (in jail)
Member of the Senate or the House of Commons of Canada
Prohibited from nomination or disqualified as a candidate
Step 2: Did you register with Elections Alberta?
Do you want to run for a political party?
You won your political party's nomination contest process
If you won, you are automatically registered to be a candidate with Elections Alberta
You must pay a $500 candidate deposit. These can be personal money or money given by your party.
Do you want to run as an independent?
Complete a candidate application
Pay $500 candidate deposit
IMPORTANT - All money you raise and spend for candidacy is only for the purpose of your candidacy. After the election, you must share your financial activity with the government.
Step 3: File Candidate Nomination Papers with Returning Officer
These papers include your name, address, and signature of 25 electors from the electoral division in which you are seeking nomination
The appointment of an official agent
Proof that you are eligible and consent to be nominated. This prevents people putting your name forward without your permission.
Many people enter into politics to see positive change take place. When it seems like nothing is being done, a person may decide they can help take care of the issue and choose to run for a position. Other times, a person has been asked by a group of people, if they are willing to run in an election.