Municipal Election 2024
Municipal Elections are held every four years in Nova Scotia and 2024 is an election year.
Berwick Council has confirmed that residents will be able to vote electronically, which means by internet or by phone (cell or landline).
Qualified voters will be able to vote any time of day or night starting on October 10 at noon through October 19, at 7:00 p.m.
There will be no paper ballots, but voters who need help with electronic voting will be able to access assistance by phone or in person.
Voters will be electing a Mayor and six Councillors.
Qualifications to Vote
In order to be eligible to vote:
- you must be 18 years or older on the first advance polling day (October 10)
- you must be a Canadian citizen on the first advance polling day (October 10)
- you must have been ordinarily resident in Nova Scotia for at least six months immediately preceding the first advance polling day (by March 9, 2024)
- you must be a resident of Berwick since immediately before the first advance polling day (October 10)
Thinking about running for a seat on Berwick Town Council?
The next session date will be announced soon!
Qualifications to Run for Council
In order to run for council (mayor or councillor):
- you must be 18 years of age at the time of nomination (September 10, 2024)
- you must be a Canadian citizen
- you must have been ordinarily resident in the town of Berwick for 6 months preceding nomination day (by March 9), and continue to so reside
- you must have obtained a certificate that, as of nomination day, the charges that are liens on your property and the taxes due to the municipality have been fully paid or all instalments or interim payments that are due as of nomination day have been paid you are not disqualified under the Municipal Elections Act
If you are thinking about running in the Municipal Election, nominations open on August 29 and close on September 10. You must book a meeting with the Returning Officer to complete the nomination process.
Obtain a certificate that confirms your liens, and your taxes are paid. File your nomination paper with the returning officer on Nomination Day (September 10) or by appointment only during the seven business days preceding nomination day (starting August 29th). Appointments can be scheduled by contacting Krista Longmire, Returning Officer, at 902-844-8586 or by email at . Once your nomination paper has been accepted by the Returning Officer, it is open for inspection by the public. Once accepted, the Returning Officer will provide you or your official agent with a copy of the list of electors entitled to vote for the office for which you are a candidate. Note that the list of electors is to be used for election purposes only and all your copies must be returned after the election. The Municipal Elections Act does not allow the list to be open for inspection, disposed of or sold for other purposes
Disqualifications – Council
A number of situations or occupations disqualify the following from seeking municipal office (s. 18 of the Municipal Elections Act):
- Members of parliament or senators;
- Members of the legislative assembly;
- Members of a village commission;
- Judges;
- A person who accepts or holds office or employment in the service of the municipality, or any utility, board, commission, committee or official thereof, to which any salary, fee, wages, allowance, emolument, profit or other remuneration of any kind is attached, for so long he holds or is engaged in the office or employment unless the person is on a leave of absence pursuant to subsection 17C(2) of the Municipal Elections Act. (This disqualification does not apply to volunteer firefighters with the Berwick Fire Department);
- Councillors in another municipal unit;
- Persons who, within five years prior to nomination day, have been convicted of bribery or a corrupt practice contrary to the Municipal Elections Act or who have been disqualified from any office pursuant to the provisions of the Municipal Conflict of Interest Act
Printable forms are avalible by clicking on the links below:
Candidate Guide for the Municipal Election Oct. 19, 2024
Form 11: Nomination Paper (Mayor or Other Council Member)
Form 12A: Declaration of Candidate Withdrawing from Nomination
Form 17: Appointment of Official Agent
Form 17A: Oath (or Affirmation) of Official Agent