Information for candidates

The Notice of Intent to Run process is new for the 2025 municipal election. Prospective candidates must file the Notice of Intent for Run form with the Election Office before accepting campaign contributions or incurring campaign expenses. Once the Election Office receives your completed form, your name will be added to the Register of Candidates on the City’s website. 

The campaign period for the 2025 municipal election is October 31, 2024 until December 31, 2025.

Candidates must follow the election finance rules set out in Part 5.1 of the Local Authorities Election Act and the Expense Limits Regulation.

Where there is any changes to the information provided in the Notice of Intent to Run, the candidate must notify the Election's Office within 48 hours.

How Do I Know if I’m Eligible to Run?

Anyone considering running for office should confirm their eligibility as a first step. To be eligible, a prospective candidate must be:

• At least 18 years old on Nomination Day (September 22, 2025)
• A Canadian citizen
• A resident of Spruce Grove for the 6 consecutive months immediately before Nomination Day
• A resident of Spruce Grove on Election Day (October 20, 2025)
• Not otherwise ineligible or disqualified under the Local Authorities Election Act

It is a candidate’s responsibility to confirm eligibility before engaging in the nomination process.

Is Submitting a Notice of Intent to Run the Same as Submitting Nomination Forms?

No. Submitting a Notice of Intent to Run is one step in the process and does not mean you have been nominated and will appear on the ballot.

Once a prospective candidate’s Notice of Intent to Run submission is complete and they are added to the Register of Candidates, they can accept campaign contributions and incur campaign expenses.

To become a nominated candidate and appear on the ballot, a candidate must complete the nomination process during the Nomination Period from January 1 to September 22, 2025.

What is the Register of Candidates?

The Register of Candidates is a record of all candidates who have given notice to the Spruce Grove Election Office that they intend to seek nomination for office in the next general election, as required by the Local Authorities Election Act.

Is a Deposit Required to File a Notice of Intent to Run?

No, a deposit is not required when filing a Notice of Intent to Run.

When is a Disclosure Statement Required to be Filed?

Candidates are required to file a disclosure statement with the Election Office, on or before March 1 of each year, if contributions were received in the previous year. If contributions are collected and/or expenses incurred in 2024, a disclosure statement must be filed on or before March 1, 2025. For contributions collected and expenses incurred in 2025, a disclosure statement must be filed on or before March 1, 2026.

TIP: Make sure to keep complete and detailed records of your contributions and expenses. This will be important for completing your disclosure statement(s).

The City is required to maintain a register of candidates that have filed a Notice of Intent to Run and the register will be publicly available on the City’s website until December 31, 2025.

Nomination period

Nomination period opens: Wednesday, January 1, 2025.

Nomination period closes: Monday, September 22, 2025, at 12 p.m.

Nomination information

Nominations for Mayor or Councillors will be accepted by the Returning Officer from Thursday, January 2, 2025 (as Wednesday, January 1, 2025 is a statutory holiday), until 12 p.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025. Prospective candidates filing their nominations may:

• schedule an appointment with the Returning Officer by contacting them at elections@sprucegrove.org or 780-962-7634 Ext. 425
• submit their nomination papers by using the secure dropbox beside the east doors of City Hall (315 Jespersen Avenue)
• mail or courier their nomination papers to the City of Spruce Grove (c/o Returning Officer, 315 Jespersen Avenue, Spruce Grove, Alberta T7X 3E8)

Although nomination forms mailed or couriered will be accepted by the Returning Officer, this could pose a risk for candidates if the information is not submitted to the local jurisdiction office by the noon deadline on Nomination Day (September 22, 2025). Therefore, it is recommended that candidates file their nomination papers in person or submit their nomination papers using the secure dropbox. Nominations will be accepted in-person by appointment only.

Further information on nomination requirements are available within the Nomination Information Package.

Important dates

Private Property

• Election signs with a maximum of height 1m (3.28 ft) from the ground to the top of the sign may be erected starting at 12:01 a.m. on Thursday, August 21, 2025 (60 days prior to Election Day)
• Elections signs may be erected:
  • on private fences and private building external walls up to a maximum height of 2.43 m (8 ft) measuring the entire Election Sign structure; and
  • on or in the ground in Non-Residential Areas up to a maximum height of 2.43 m (8 ft) from the ground to the top of the Election Sign. Non-Residential Area is an area within the City of Spruce Grove not zoned as residential as set in the City’s Land Use Bylaw.

starting at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025 (Nomination Day).

Public Property

• Election signs may be erected on starting at 12:01 a.m. on Monday, September 22, 2025 (Nomination Day).

Removal of Election Signs

• All election signs must be removed by 11:59 p.m. on Saturday, October 25, 2025.

Election Sign Bylaw and Election Sign Guide

Further information on election sign regulations can be found in the Election Sign Bylaw. The Election Sign Guide provides a reference guide for understanding the regulations set out in the Election Sign Bylaw.

As part of the nomination process, candidates will be asked to sign an Election Sign Acknowledgement Form acknowledging:

• they received a copy of the Election Sign Bylaw;
• they have read, understand and agree to comply with the election sign requirements as outlined in the Election Sign Bylaw; and
• that a violation of the Election Sign Bylaw may result in removal of their election signs and a fine.

Candidates or residents who have questions about election campaign signage can contact the Returning Officer at elections@sprucegrove.org or 780-962-7634 Ext. 425.

A Candidate Information Package is under development. It will provide prospective candidates with additional information about running for Spruce Grove City Council. When finalized, this document will be available electronically on the election website and by paper copy at City Hall.

The City of Spruce Grove supports consistency in its communication with all candidates. Through Policy 6,039 - Use of Municipal Resources for Election Campaigns a process has been established for handling candidate information requests that will allow candidates to be provided access to the same information. If any candidate submits a request for information about City programs or services, a reply will be provided via email to all candidates who have signed up to receive responses.

The City will make every reasonable effort to provide a response to candidates; however as the election draws near, time may not permit a response. Questions that are complex in nature or must be treated in accordance with privacy legislation may be clarified by Administration and it may be recommended that the candidate submit a Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy (FOIP) request.

Submit a question or request for information

Candidates who wish to submit a question or request for information can email  candidaterequests@sprucegrove.org. Please note candidate information requests will be treated in accordance with the privacy provisions set out in the FOIP Act. The City will endeavour to provide responses to questions received prior to Election Day. However, as the election draws near we cannot guarantee that we will be able to compile a response by Election Day for responses received after 4:30 p.m. on Friday, October 10, 2025.

Receive the response

If you are a candidate and would like to be included on the distribution list for candidate information requests, send a request with your full name and email address to elections@sprucegrove.org. This information will be being collected under the authority of section 33(c) of the FOIP Act and will be used to administer the candidate request for information requirements under Policy 6,039 - Use of Municipal Resources for Election Campaigns. The personal information provided will be protected in accordance with Part 2 of the Act. If you have any questions regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of personal information, please contact the FOIP Coordinator at 780-962-2611.

Candidate information sessions are anticipated to be held in spring 2025. Stay tuned for dates.

Learn more about election processes using resources from the City of Spruce Grove and Alberta Municipal Affairs

City bylaws, policies and guides

• C-1349-24 - Elections Bylaw
• C-1281-23 - Election Sign Bylaw
• Election Sign Guide 
• Policy 6,039 - Use of Municipal Resources for Election Campaigns
• Candidate Information Package - coming soon

Election forms

• Form 4 - Nomination Paper and Candidates Acceptance
• Form 5 - Candidate Information

Municipal Affairs Resources

• Alberta Municipal Affairs municipal election website

Other Resources

• Local Authorities Election Act
• Municipal Government Act