Info for Candidates

You may run for the office of municipal council or school board trustee if:

• On the day of the election, you are 18 years of age or will be 18 years of age on or before election day;
• Are a Canadian citizen and have resided in Regina for at least three consecutive months immediately preceding the date on which nomination papers are submitted, and in Saskatchewan for at least six months immediately preceding the date on which nomination papers are submitted; and
• Are not disqualified by The Local Government Election Act, 2015 or any other Act from holding the office for which you are a candidate.

In the case of School Board Elections, you must reside in the division in which you are seeking nomination. (Refer to Section 45 of The Local Government Election Act, 2015)

In the case of a Separate school division election, an eligible nominator must be a voter of the separate school division in accordance with subsection 36(2) of The Local Government Election Act, 2015.

Who May Not Run?

You may not run for the office of municipal council if you:

• Are a Judge of any court
• Are an auditor or solicitor of the municipality

No person is disqualified from being nominated for office as a member of Council by reason of having an interest in a contract with the City. (Refer to Sections 42, 43 & 44 of The Local Government Election Act, 2015)

Employees

The following persons may seek nomination to the council, board or joint board with which the person is employed if the person has first obtained a leave of absence in accordance with subsection 2-54(1) of The Saskatchewan Employment Act:

• Employee of the City of Regina
• Employee of a board or commission appointed by City Council
• Employee of the public or separate school board
• Employee of a joint board, as defined in The Education Act, 1995

If an employee is required to take a leave of absence during their campaign, the leave of absence must commence when the Candidate files their nomination paper with the nomination officer at Elections Regina. Candidates are expected to discuss these terms with their employer to fully understand the leave of absence before submitting their nomination forms.

If an employee on leave of absence is successfully elected, the employee is deemed to have resigned from their position on the day before he or she is declared elected, unless the results of the election are overturned.

Nomination Forms

• Mayor Nomination, Acceptance & Disclosure Form (PDF)
• Councillor Nomination, Acceptance & Disclosure Form (PDF)
• Public School Board Trustee Nomination & Acceptance Form (PDF)
• Catholic School Board Trustee Nomination & Acceptance Form (PDF)

Candidate Profile Form

Candidates may submit a candidate profile and request a candidate video along with their nomination papers. Candidate profiles will be posted on the Elections Regina website.

Candidate Profile Form (PDF)

Additional Information

The nomination paper is not considered complete unless the nominee’s acceptance statement is:

• signed by the person being nominated
• witnessed by two people
• accompanied by a deposit
• accompanied by a completed Public Disclosure Statement (Councillor/Mayor candidates only)
• accompanied by a Criminal Record Check with Vulnerable Sector Query (Public and Catholic School Board Trustee candidates only)

To obtain a Criminal Record Check, candidates can visit the Regina Police Service.

Only one person can be nominated for election on each nomination paper. A voter may sign the nomination papers of more than one person, candidates cannot nominate themselves.

The onus to file a bona fide nomination paper is on the person being nominated. Elections Regina staff is not eligible to witness the nomination statement.

Refer to Sections 67, 68, 69, and 70 of The Local Government Election Act, 2015.

Total election expenses for a candidate shall not exceed: 

• $75,904 in the case of a candidate for Mayor
• $12,574 in the case of a candidate for Councillor

Election expense limits apply to all election expenses incurred, whether or not paid, and contributions, whether received or pledged, during the period from June 1 to December 31 of the year of the general election (2024).

Candidates for the office of Trustee of the Board of Education of the Regina School Division No. 4 of Saskatchewan are required to make public disclosure of details of all election campaign contributions and expenses.

There are no requirements for candidates for the office of Trustee of the Regina Separate School Division No. 81 to disclose campaign contributions and expenses.

• The Regina Municipal Election Expenses Bylaw, Bylaw No. 2007-34
• Policy 19 for the Public School Board Association

Election Expense and Contribution forms are due to the Election Coordinator no later than February 11, 2025.

What is the term of office for an elected candidate?
City Councillors and School Board Trustees are expected to serve a four-year term. That term officially begins at the first meeting of the Council or Board after the general election and continues until the first meeting of the Council or Board after the next general election, unless their offices are vacated sooner.

When can I file my Nomination Papers?
The nomination period is September 25 to October 9, 2024.

What is the role of the Returning Officer and Election Coordinator?
The Returning Officer is responsible for running the election. The Election Coordinator is the primary contact for candidates and can be reached at the Elections Regina office. Ensure you are aware of the Election Coordinator’s name, phone number and office location when you decide to run for office. The Office of the City Clerk will also have this information and the Returning Officer is able to assist as required.

Am I eligible to run?
You may run for the office of Municipal Councillor or School Board Trustee if:

• On the day of the election, you are the full age of 18 years or will attain the full age of 18 years on or before Election Day;
• At the time you submit nomination papers, you are a Canadian citizen and have resided in Regina for at least three consecutive months immediately preceding the date on which nomination papers are submitted and in Saskatchewan for at least six months immediately preceding the date on which nomination papers are submitted; and
• Are not disqualified by The Local Government Election Act, 2015 or any other Act from holding the office for which you are a candidate.
• In the case of a separate school division election, an eligible nominator must be a voter of the separate school division in accordance with subsection 36(2) of The Local Government Election Act, 2015.

Who can't run?
You may not run for the office of municipal council if you:

• Are a Judge of any court. 
• Are an auditor or solicitor of the municipality. 

No person is disqualified from being nominated for office as a member of Council by reason of having an interest in a contract with the City. (Refer to Sections 42, 43 & 44 of The Local Government Election Act, 2015) 

Does it cost money to run?
Nomination papers for the offices of Mayor, Councillor and School Board Trustee of the public or separate school divisions must be accompanied by a deposit of $100.00 in cash, debit, visa, certified cheque or money order made payable to the City of Regina.  

When the completed nomination paper is filed with the Returning Officer or his/her designate, a receipt shall be issued to the candidate or their agent. 

It is entirely up to the candidate as to how much to spend on a campaign within the legislated limits. Total election expenses for a candidate shall not exceed $75,904 in the case of a candidate for Mayor and $12,574 in the case of a candidate for Councillor. 

In the case of School Board candidates, each candidate must submit a Criminal Record Check with a Vulnerability Scan which costs approximately $45. This needs to be recent, from within the previous 3 months, and submitted with your nomination forms.  

What are the criteria for nominations?

• For the position of Mayor, the nomination application must be signed by at least 25 electors of the municipality. 
• For the position of Councillor, the application must be signed by at least 25 electors of the ward in which the candidate is seeking nomination. 
• No person can be nominated as both Mayor and Councillor of the same municipality and no person can be nominated as a Councillor in more than one ward. 
• For a position of School Board Trustee for the Regina Public School Board, the application must be signed by at least 10 electors of the Regina Public School Board who reside in the school subdivision where the candidate is seeking nomination. 
• No person can be nominated as trustee in more than one subdivision of a school division. 
• For a position of Board Trustee for the Regina Separate School Board, the application must be signed by at least 10 nominators who are eligible voters of the Regina Separate School division. 

When can I start campaigning?
This is at the discretion of the candidate. Before starting to campaign, you should thoroughly consider the following:

• Criteria for nominations 
• Nomination papers must be filed between September 25 to October 9, 2024 
• Election expense limits apply to all election expenses incurred, whether or not paid, and contributions, whether received or pledged, during the period from June 1 to December 31 of the year of the general election. 
• Candidates for the office of Trustee of the Board of Education of the Regina School Division No. 4 of Saskatchewan are required to make public disclosure of details of all election campaign contributions and expenses. 
• There are no requirements for candidates for the office of Trustee of the Regina Separate School Division No. 81 to disclose campaign contributions and expenses.

When can Candidates get a copy of the Registered Voter List?
After it’s been published by the Returning Officer on October 13.

• Candidates must request a copy of the Voter List in writing.C
• Candidates may only use the voters list to identify eligible voters in their area, allowing them to target their campaign efforts more effectively.
  • As per section 63(2) of The Local Government Elections Act, 2015
    Subject to section 55, the voters list must only be used as follows:
    (a) by election officers for the purpose of carrying out their duties pursuant to this Act or the regulations;
    (b) by a candidate, for communicating with voters, including for soliciting contributions and campaigning.
• Candidates will be required to sign a declaration when requesting a copy of the Voter List.

Are there any specific protocols or guidelines for hosting in-person election events?  
This type of event is not organized or regulated by Elections Regina. While an event is always an option, if planning to do an in-person event it is recommended that you advise Elections Regina staff, who can share the event details with all candidates in that particular race.

What can I expect at the polls as a Candidate or Candidate’s Agent?  
Candidates and their agents will: 

• Be directed to the Supervisor at the poll to fill in Form U – Declaration of Candidate or Agent form.  
• You can watch voters check-in and verify their identity, but you cannot interact directly with the voters or interfere with election officials.  
• Candidates and their agents must follow strict guidelines at the polling station, including no campaigning, soliciting votes, or engaging voters in political conversations, or they risk removal from the polling station. 

 

For more details about running for office, please consult the Candidate Information Guide.