Information for Candidates

The next regular election will be held October 17, 2020. Here you will find information on requirements, official forms and more. The Candidate’s Guide for the Regular Election is now available and can be requested through the Returning Officer.

The Requirements

To be a candidate in either a municipal or school board election, you must be: 

  • 18 years of age at the time of nomination;
  • a Canadian citizen;
  • ordinarily resident in the Municipality of Barrington for six months preceding nomination day, and continue to so reside.

You don’t need to live in the polling district that you’re running in, as long as you meet the residency requirement of six months in the municipality.

Key Dates

March 17, 2020  Residency required to qualify as candidate in election
September 8, 2020 Nomination Day (Nominations can be filed by appointment with the Returning Officer in the seven business days prior – August 27 - Sptember 4, 2020)
September 9, 2020 Last day for candidate to withdraw
October 10, 2020  First Advance Poll
October 13, 2020 Second Advance Poll
October 17, 2020 Election Day
October 20, 2020  Official Addition
October 24, 2020  Last day to file Affidavit re Removal of Advertising Materials and Return of Lists of Electors (Form 12) 
October 27, 2020  Last day to apply for a recount
December 16, 2020  Last day to file Campaign Contributions Disclosure Statement (Forms 40 and 41 )

The Paper Work

All candidates must either appoint an official agent or file a declaration that you’ll be acting as your own official agent. The official agent must keep track of any campaign contributions and open a separate bank account for this purpose. You should appoint your agent before you begin to accept any campaign contributions. Filing your agent forms will be made public and posted to the municipal website.

All candidates must fill out a nomination form and return it to the returning office on September 8, 2020 (Nomination Day), or during an appointed time arranged with the Returning Officer. The Returning Officer will also be making appointments for in-person drop-offs of the nomination form between Aug. 27 to Sept. 4. Please call the Returning Officer to schedule an appointment if you wish to come during this time. Please note that social distancing rules are in place at the returning office and masks must be worn.

The form must be returned in person to the Returning Officer - it can not be mailed or emailed into the office. You only become an official candidate when you have filed your nomination paper in person with the Returning Officer. 

For more information contact  or call 902-320-3509.

Candidates Guide & Resources

If you’re thinking of running an election, you should start by reading the Candidate’s Guide to Municipal and School Board Elections. An updated version of the guide is now available and can be requested through the Returning Officer.

The Nova Scotia Federation of Municipalities has also launched a website with information for candidates interested in running in the October 2020 election. Check it out at https://www.nsfm.ca/election-2020-info.html.